Overview

• Roughly 800 generals and admirals were hastily recalled to Marine Corps Base Quantico for a televised meeting that observers described as unprecedented.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced directives restoring a highest male standard for combat arms, ending anonymity in discrimination and harassment complaints, and overhauling Inspector General and Equal Opportunity processes.
• Hegseth rebuked retired four-stars by name, told dissenting leaders to resign, and emphasized stricter fitness and grooming rules as part of his push to rebrand the Pentagon as a "War Department."
• President Donald Trump told the assembled officers the nation faces an "invasion from within" and suggested using cities such as Chicago as training grounds for troops, referencing domestic quick-reaction forces.
• Democrats and many veterans condemned the event as politicizing the military and raising constitutional concerns over domestic use of forces, while several Republicans praised the speeches; attendees largely showed no visible reaction.