Trump-Hegseth last minute meeting 'insane message of little merit'
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech to top generals, alongside Donald Trump, drew backlash over loyalty tests, fitness rules, and deploying US troops in cities.
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President Donald Trump is greeted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth before speaking to a gathering of top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Va, US (AP)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's speech to hundreds of top US generals has drawn sharp criticism from within the Pentagon, with many officials questioning why the last-minute gathering was held at all.
Senior officers were summoned to Quantico, Virginia, where they listened to a partisan speech from President Donald Trump and Hegseth’s call for a return to old-school military standards. Some officials described the event as more of a campaign-style rally than a strategic briefing.
“More like a press conference than briefing the generals,” one defense official said, noting the time and cost of assembling so many leaders in a single room.
Meeting was 'a strategic risk'
During the 90-minute event, Trump encouraged attendees to “just have a good time,” while Hegseth blasted “fat generals” and pushed for stricter physical fitness rules that could limit women in combat roles.
Several officials viewed the gathering as a distraction, especially given the looming government shutdown. Others feared the concentration of so many top military leaders in one place posed unnecessary security risks.
“It’s also an inexcusable strategic risk to concentrate so many leaders … to convey an inane message of little merit,” a former senior defense official said.
Hegseth’s remarks about grooming standards, diversity programs, and the need to project a more aggressive image were widely dismissed by some officers. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, however, defended the gathering, saying it reinforced the “warrior ethos” and marked the end of “political correctness” within the Department of War.
Hegseth, Trump 'unamerican'
Trump used the stage to justify sending US troops into American cities, while Hegseth called rules of engagement designed to protect civilians “stupid.” The suggestions raised alarm both inside the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.
“Deploying U.S. troops against U.S. citizens in American cities isn’t just unprecedented and unconstitutional — it’s UNAMERICAN,” Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), an Army veteran, posted on X.
Other officials warned that preparing rapid reaction forces for domestic unrest would undermine the military’s readiness for potential conflicts with Russia or China.
'Could've been an email'
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) reiterated her demand for Hegseth’s resignation, saying his views “undermine our military’s efficacy, lethality and readiness.” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) called the event “totally unjustified” and “chest thumping at the expense of real national security.”
Republicans, meanwhile, praised the gathering. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) described the speech as “strong” and argued that more direct training and warfighter focus were needed.
While Trump allies defended the event, many defense officials remained unconvinced. One summed it up bluntly: “Could have been an email.”
Read more: Trump, Hegseth draw backlash over politicized military overhaul
