Defense Cuts College Trips, Calls Ivy Schools “Woke” Hotbeds

The Pentagon has decided to stop sending soldiers to graduate programs at several top U. S. universities, labeling them as “woke breeding grounds. ” The decision will take effect next academic year, 2026‑27. The move follows a previous announcement that ended military training and fellowship programs at Harvard, a policy tied to tensions between the Trump administration and Ivy League institutions. The Secretary of Defense said that sending officers to these schools could undermine the values they pledged to protect. He argued that universities have shifted from teaching practical military strategy to promoting what he calls “wokeness” and weakness.Hegseth criticized the institutions for turning into “factories of anti‑American resentment and military disdain. ” He claimed they replace hard thinking with radical dogma, stifling free expression. Despite his criticism, the defense secretary earned degrees from Princeton and Harvard himself. He has pledged a comprehensive review of war colleges to ensure they focus solely on producing effective leaders and fighters. The decision raises questions about the balance between academic enrichment and maintaining a disciplined, patriotic military culture. It also highlights ongoing debates over the role of higher education in shaping national security perspectives.