Trump to Address Top Military Leaders Amidst Increased Domestic Deployment
Secretary Pete Hegseth has convened a gathering of approximately 800 generals and admirals – representing the highest ranks of military leadership – at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. The unexpected summons pulls these leaders from assignments around the globe, spanning over a dozen countries and time zones.
Initially, the purpose of the meeting remained undisclosed. However, President Trump announced in a Sunday interview with NBC News that he woudl be attending to discuss “how good we are militarily, about being in great form, about many good and positive things.” A White House official, speaking on background due to not being authorized to discuss the PresidentS plans before a public announcement, confirmed Trump’s participation was not originally scheduled but was added after the meeting’s announcement on Thursday. When first questioned by reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed surprise at the attention, asking, “I’ll be there if they love me, but why is it such an crucial issue?”
The President’s involvement raises concerns about the potential for politicization of the event, given his past behavior. In June, Trump delivered campaign-style remarks critical of his predecessor, joe Biden, while speaking to uniformed personnel at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
This meeting occurs as the Trump administration continues to expand the use of military resources domestically. The National Guard remains deployed in Washington D.C., with a smaller deployment planned for Memphis, Tennessee. On Saturday, Trump announced plans to send troops to Portland, Oregon, citing a need to address alleged “domestic terrorists.” Previously, the administration deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, despite objections from local and state officials, in response to protests following large-scale immigration arrests.
Pentagon spokesperson confirmed Hegseth’s plans to meet with senior military leaders early next week. The Washington Post first reported on Trump’s decision to attend the Quantico meeting.
