President Trump and Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth rallied tons of of U.S. generals with a divisive name to finish “woke” rules like variety and inclusion, declaring warfare on “fat” troops and demanding a return to “male standards” within the ranks.
Flexing his energy as commander in chief, Trump taunted the assembled high brass after they didn’t greet him with greater than scattered applause when he took the stage.
“If you don’t like what I’m saying you can leave the room, because there goes your rank, there goes your future,” Trump stated with a smile.
President Donald Trump speaks to senior army leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia. (Picture by Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures)
Trump spoke for greater than an hour, repeating acquainted false claims about fixing numerous international conflicts whereas deriding his political opponents.
He vowed to proceed unleashing the army to crack down on undocumented immigrants and protesters in American cities, a significant break with longstanding custom.
“Our history is filled with military heroes who took on all enemies foreign and domestic. That’s what the oath says — foreign and domestic,” he stated. “Well, we also have domestic (enemies).”
The weird gathering got here after Hegseth abruptly summoned army leaders from around the globe to convene on the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va., with out publicly revealing any motive.
Hegseth painted an image of a army that has been crippled by “woke” insurance policies, and he warned army leaders they may stop in the event that they don’t agree.
“We are done with that s–t,” Hegseth stated.
President Donald Trump greets Secretary of Warfare Pete Hegseth as he arrives to talk to senior army leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures)
The very best civilian chief within the army derided “fat” troops and generals and demanded that troops meet the “highest male standards” for some fight roles, an obvious dig at girls in uniform.
Admirals and generals from battle zones within the Center East and elsewhere had been summoned to take a seat via a lecture on race and gender, underscoring the extent to which Hegseth plans to give attention to tradition wars even at a time of broad nationwide safety issues throughout the globe.
Throughout his almost hour-long speech, Hegseth stated the U.S. army has promoted too many leaders for the improper causes based mostly on race, gender quotas and “historic firsts.”
Secretary of Warfare Pete Hegseth speaks to senior army leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures)
“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth stated.
He vowed to loosen strict disciplinary guidelines the army has put in place after quite a few scandals and investigations of bodily, psychological and sexual abuse of troops.
Hegseth slammed what he referred to as lax bodily health requirements, environmental insurance policies and transgender troops whereas speaking up his and Trump’s give attention to “the warrior ethos” and “peace through strength.”
He referred to as for a return to what he referred to as the “highest male standard” for numerous roles, though he insisted he doesn’t object basically to girls within the army or fight.
Initially Printed: September 30, 2025 at 10:56 AM EDT
