Pete Hegseth noted that the Pentagon is terminating graduate education programs, scholarships, and certificates at Harvard, starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. Service members currently studying at this university will be able to complete their courses.
The minister expressed the opinion that for a long time, the Pentagon had been sending its best officers to Harvard, hoping for a better assessment and understanding of warriors; however, many of them returned with ideologies that do not align with the tasks and values of the military. "We expected more from Harvard, but instead, our officers became more like representatives of the university, adopting globalist and radical views," Hegseth added.
He reminded that in the past, Harvard played a significant role in the military history of the United States. General George Washington took command of the Continental Army in 1775 right in the courtyard of Harvard, and until the Korean War, military service was part of university life. Hegseth noted that the most Medal of Honor recipients among American educational institutions studied at Harvard.
However, today, according to the minister, Harvard is no longer a suitable place for the development of service members. He also pointed to issues related to the university's cooperation with foreign states and cultural aspects that do not align with military and American values. Hegseth emphasized that the university's research activities interacted with the Communist Party of China, and that Harvard's leadership created an atmosphere conducive to supporting Hamas and manifestations of anti-Semitism, which contradicts Supreme Court decisions.
In the coming weeks, the Pentagon plans to reassess its relationships with other universities to evaluate potential similar issues.
