The unusual summit brought together generals and admirals from across the United States and overseas — a rare instance of such a large concentration of senior command in one venue.
A War From Within
In his latest remarks, Donald Trump painted a stark picture of America’s major Democratic-led cities, pointing to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles as examples of what he called “very unsafe places.” For him, these cities are not just struggling with crime or governance — they are symbolic battlegrounds in what he framed as a conflict eroding the country from the inside.
“This is a war from within,” Trump declared, tying urban instability to broader national security concerns. He argued that defending the nation’s borders and reasserting control over its largest metropolitan areas were equally vital tasks. In his view, the threats were not only external but also internal, and both required decisive force.
The former president suggested that deploying the military domestically — whether for law enforcement or immigration control — should no longer be treated as an extraordinary measure, but as a central pillar of his policy. This idea reflects a dramatic shift from the traditional separation of military and civilian spheres in the United States.
Critics argue that framing domestic governance as a “war” risks undermining democratic institutions and civil liberties, while supporters claim it demonstrates a willingness to confront crime and disorder head-on. By casting cities as contested territories, Trump signals a strategy that blends political rhetoric with military imagery, seeking to mobilize his base around the idea of restoring order at any cost.
Hegseth’s reforms
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke first, outlining sweeping cultural and structural reforms for the Pentagon. He declared an end to what he called “woke culture” and announced that all combat personnel would now be required to meet the “highest male-level” standards in physical fitness tests.
“Standards must be uniform, gender neutral, and high,” Hegseth said, acknowledging that some women would likely be excluded from combat roles under the new rules.
He also promised to end beard exemptions, anonymous complaints, and what he described as an “era of unprofessional appearances.” The moves, he argued, would help rebuild a “warrior ethos” and undo “decades of decay” inside the armed forces.
Criticism and silence
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized Trump’s stance, accusing him of “using military troops and ICE to invade and disrupt American cities.” In a post on X, he wrote: “Our troops and our nation deserve better than you acting as a petty tyrant.”
Inside the Quantico auditorium, Trump and Hegseth’s speeches were met largely with silence. Officers sat by branch — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force — and many took notes in their field notebooks. The only audible interruptions came from boots snapping to attention as each man took and left the stage.
Rebranding the Pentagon
Trump also endorsed Hegseth’s decision to rebrand the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” calling it a “historic reassertion of our purpose, our identity, and our pride.” He claimed that the name change had proven unexpectedly popular, even among critics, and had contributed to a surge in recruitment.
“This isn’t about protecting feelings — it’s about protecting our country,” Trump said. “We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom.”
An extraordinary gathering
Observers noted the unusual scale of the meeting. Officers traveled from Europe, the Middle East, and South Korea to attend in person, prompting questions about why the event had not been conducted virtually.
Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, an Italian admiral who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, remarked: “In 49 years of service, I have never seen anything like this.”
Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told Reuters that the gathering was “mystifying,” given the logistics involved.
Trump, however, described it as an exercise in “esprit de corps,” saying the goal was to galvanize the officer corps and “reawaken the warrior spirit that built this nation.”