Overview

• President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of generals and admirals in an unusual, short-notice gathering at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
• Trump defended sending troops to U.S. cities and suggested using urban deployments as “training grounds” for the military.
• Hegseth told commanders to resign if they do not support his agenda, attacked diversity initiatives, and demanded stricter grooming and fitness standards.
• Uniformed leaders in the audience largely stayed silent throughout the speeches after guidance not to cheer or react.
• Democrats condemned the event as a wasteful spectacle and urged Hegseth to step down, while many Republicans praised the message, as a recent federal ruling against the Los Angeles National Guard mission underscored legal risks.