Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War will end attendance at several elite universities for military personnel beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year. In a video statement, he said the policy would apply to institutions including Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, MIT, Brown, Yale, and others, arguing that these schools have promoted ideological views that conflict with the military’s mission.
Hegseth said the Pentagon will conduct a comprehensive review of military academic programs to ensure they focus on national security, military strategy, and practical war-fighting skills rather than what he described as social or political activism. He argued that senior service colleges should prepare officers to address real-world security challenges and strengthen America’s military readiness.
He also criticized universities more broadly, saying higher education institutions should invest in America’s future rather than supporting interests that benefit foreign adversaries. According to Hegseth, the changes represent a major shift in how the military approaches professional education and officer development.
The defense secretary pledged that the Pentagon would also evaluate its own educational programs, calling for curricula rooted in the nation’s founding principles and focused on “peace through strength” and putting American interests first. He concluded by assuring service members that, despite criticism from some academic circles, the Department of War supports their service and sacrifices.
Separately, President Donald Trump released a video message following the launch of a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran known as “Operation Epic Fury.” Addressing the Iranian people, Trump urged them to remain indoors during the fighting and encouraged them to seize control of their government after military operations concluded. He said the campaign represented a historic opportunity for Iranians seeking political change and claimed that previous U.S. presidents had been unwilling to provide such support.
