President Donald Trump has put forth a striking proposal: to utilize American cities as designated “training grounds” for the nation’s military forces. Addressing hundreds of military leaders gathered from around the globe, Trump characterized “civil disturbances” as an “enemy from within,” asserting that military involvement would effectively quell such unrest. This statement follows previous instances where Trump deployed National Guard troops to cities like Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, ostensibly to combat crime and bolster immigration enforcement.
The event also featured remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who declared an end to “woke” culture within the Pentagon. He announced the implementation of new, stringent physical fitness standards, referred to as the “highest male standard,” for military personnel, acknowledging that this might impact female recruitment. Hegseth elaborated on his vision for a cultural transformation within the military, emphasizing a renewed “warrior ethos.” President Trump echoed these sentiments, focusing his speech on military culture, training, leadership, and rectifying what he described as “decades of decay,” including diversity and inclusion initiatives, which he believes have made the officer corps overly “risk-averse.” He suggested that these officers have been distracted by “climate change” and “woke garbage,” and are perhaps hesitant to take decisive action for fear of being labeled.
The president reiterated his criticisms of cities governed by Democrats, including San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, indicating his intent to continue the policy of deploying military assets for domestic law enforcement. “They’re very unsafe places and we’re going to straighten them out one by one,” Trump stated, suggesting this would be a “major part” of the duties for many in attendance. He further elaborated on the internal conflict, stating, “It’s a war from within. Controlling the physical territory of our borders is essential for national security. We can’t let these people in.”
These remarks drew a sharp response from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who accused Trump of using military and immigration enforcement personnel to “invade and disrupt” American cities. Pritzker criticized the president’s actions as those of a “petty tyrant.” The gathering itself, held at the expansive Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, was marked by heightened security and represented a significant assembly of high-ranking military officials from various global posts.
Hegseth’s proposed reforms also included an end to “unprofessional appearances,” such as beard exemptions, and a revamp of anonymous complaint procedures. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran, expressed concern about the implications of Hegseth’s statements for the future of the U.S. military, particularly regarding recruitment and the use of the military for “political theatre.” She suggested that Hegseth’s policies appeared aimed at deterring women and people of color from military service.
Hegseth defended his decision to dismiss senior commanders, stating it was based on his “gut feeling” to remove those resistant to policy changes from previous administrations, and indicated that further leadership changes are anticipated. Trump, in turn, praised Hegseth’s focus on “fitness, ability and character,” emphasizing that these standards are crucial for national defense rather than for “protecting anyone’s feelings.” He further lauded the rebranding of the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” claiming it has boosted morale and recruitment figures, symbolizing a “historic re-assertion of our purpose, our identity and our pride.” The president’s comments on the military’s mission and culture suggest a significant policy shift, prioritizing a more traditional and assertive approach.