【By Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】On February 6th local time, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it is cutting ties with Harvard University, ending all military training, scholarship programs, and certificate programs between the department and this Ivy League school.

According to reports from Associated Press and Reuters, on the same day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth stated in a statement that Harvard University "no longer meets the needs of the Department of Defense (formerly the War Department) or the military." "For a long time, we have sent our best and brightest officers to Harvard University, hoping that this university could better understand and respect our military class."

"However, too many of our officers return more 'Harvardized'—filled with globalism and radical ideologies, which do not help improve our combat effectiveness," he said.

In another post on social media, Hegseth wrote: "Harvard University is 'woke'; the Department of Defense is not."

The report states that the Pentagon's statement released on the same day marks the latest development in the long-standing confrontation between the Trump administration and Harvard University, which revolved around the White House's demands for reforms at the Ivy League school.

Photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth, IC Photo

Previously, the Trump administration had targeted several top American universities, including Harvard University, with crackdowns involving issues such as anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian protests, diversity programs, transgender policies, and climate initiatives.

Hegseth said on social media: "Starting now, starting from the 2026-27 academic year, I will terminate all graduate-level professional military education, all scholarship programs, and certificate programs offered by Harvard University to all active-duty service members."

He stated that this policy will apply to future enrolled service members, while current students will be allowed to complete their studies. He also added that the Pentagon will assess similar relationships with other universities in the coming weeks.

According to the report, Hegseth himself holds a master's degree from Harvard University, but in a segment on Fox News in 2022, he symbolically returned his diploma. The Pentagon's social media account, operated by Hegseth's office, also re-released the video, where Hegseth, then a Fox News commentator, sent back the diploma and wrote "Return to Sender" on it with a marker.

The report states that the U.S. military provides its officers with various opportunities for graduate education, including military-run war colleges and private institutions like Harvard University.

Overall, although the direct benefits of attending well-known private institutions for military careers are not as significant as those for their civilian counterparts, such experiences can help them become more attractive job candidates after retirement.

On one of Harvard University's web pages, the historical relationship between the university and the U.S. military is introduced, stating that since the country's founding, the university has played "an important role" in the U.S. military tradition.

Previously, Harvard University had sued the Trump administration over the government's attempt to freeze federal funds. Hegseth, however, accused Harvard University of engaging in "anti-American radicalism" and labeled the university as having "anti-Semitism" when referring to pro-Palestinian protests.

Photo: Hundreds of Harvard students supporting Gaza, Social Media

Some "human rights" advocates have raised concerns about the Trump administration's actions against universities, citing issues related to "free speech, academic freedom, and due process."

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, argue that the Trump administration wrongly equates "criticizing Israel's attacks on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territory" with so-called "anti-Semitism," and equates "advocating for Palestinian rights" with so-called "supporting extremism."

In fact, Harvard University has condemned discrimination on campus. Last year, a working group found that Jews and Muslims faced prejudice on campus following the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict in October 2023.

The report also mentions that President Trump's attempt to freeze Harvard University's federal funding encountered legal resistance, and the two sides have yet to reach an agreement so far.

On February 2nd local time, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had abandoned its demand for a $200 million settlement from Harvard University, following a decline in Trump's poll numbers, anger over immigration enforcement measures, and the killing of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota.

Late that night, Trump posted on social media that he was seeking $1 billion in "damages" from Harvard University. He accused Harvard University of long-term "severe anti-Semitism" and spread "baseless rumors" to The New York Times. However, he did not specify the legal basis for seeking $1 billion.

Early the next morning, Trump again posted on social media, calling the article from The New York Times "completely wrong" and demanding a correction.

According to the report, so far, other Ivy League schools have reached agreements with the Trump administration and accepted some of the government's requirements. Columbia University agreed to pay more than $220 million to the government, while Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to support local workforce development.

This article is exclusive to Observer Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7604030942386078217/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author."