Overview

• At an unusually large gathering of roughly 800 generals and admirals at Marine Corps Base Quantico, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared an ideological overhaul of the military.
• Hegseth said equality and anti‑discrimination programs would end and physical standards for combat roles would follow male benchmarks, adding that leaders who oppose the course should leave.
• Trump floated using cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland as training grounds for the military and National Guard, a notion legal scholars say is likely unlawful under limits on domestic military roles.
• Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth demanded Hegseth step down, calling him the least qualified defense secretary in history and condemning planned rule changes as dangerous and conducive to hazing.
• Analysts noted Hegseth has reshuffled top posts, removed many women from leadership and weakened the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, fueling concerns about politicized promotions, readiness and adherence to legal obligations.