Harvard deploys a clever counter-move to sidestep Hegseth’s ‘woke’ military ban

Harvard University is rolling out a smart new strategy to help active-duty troops sidestep Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s ban on academic involvement with the school. The university is now letting active-duty service members defer their admission for up to four years, directly pushing back against the Pentagon’s move to cut ties between the Ivy League institution and the military.

This extended deferral period is a big deal, considering students typically only get a one-year deferral. According to Politico, this clever move could allow troops who were hoping to study at Harvard to push the start of their programs into the next presidential administration. It’s a way to keep the door open for these students despite the current ban.

Harvard is also working with accepted students to them expedited consideration at four other respected graduate schools that haven’t been impacted by the Defense Department’s ban. Dean Jeremy Weinstein told prospective students, “While we hope to welcome active-duty military students to the Harvard Kennedy School next year, we are fully committed to making sure you get the education you deserve, even if you cannot get it at Harvard.”

The chess game continues

The graduate schools that are part of this workaround are the Harris School at the University of Chicago, the Fletcher School at Tufts University, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, and the Gerald R. Ford School at the University of Michigan. Dean Weinstein emphasized that individuals interested in transferring their studies to these schools will have an “expedited timeline and without significant additional work.”

Even though Hegseth is a graduate of the Kennedy School himself, he has been quite vocal about his reasons for the ban. He’s labeled the school “woke” and believes its degree programs don’t offer the right training and focus for military personnel. He stated, “Our military has had a rich tradition with Harvard throughout its history, but today, this university is one of the red-hot centers of hate-America activism.” 

Over the past decade, the Kennedy School has welcomed a significant number of military personnel, with more than 500 active-duty troops, reservists, and military veterans enrolling in its degree programs. This history highlights the deep connection that has existed between the military and Harvard.

It’s worth noting that the Pentagon hasn’t just targeted Harvard; in recent weeks, it has also canceled fellowships at several other prominent institutions. Columbia University, Yale University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have also seen their military ties impacted. However, Harvard and the Trump administration have had a tumultuous relationship from the beginning, with Harvard fighting back at every turn.