The gathering of America's top generals and admirals at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia was extraordinary -- and what they heard from President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth no less so.

Washington

President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed nearly 800 senior military leaders, outlining proposals that included using U.S. cities as training grounds for troops and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the military. Trump's suggestion to deploy troops in American cities was criticized by Senator Tammy Duckworth as illegal and unconstitutional. 

Hegseth called for a return to traditional physical fitness standards and criticized the presence of diversity programs, climate change initiatives, and what he termed 'division and distraction' in the military. The meeting, which drew criticism from lawmakers such as Senator Peter Welch for politicizing the armed forces, was marked by a largely silent response from the assembled officers, in line with military protocol. Hegseth also announced a review of military policies on hazing, bullying, and harassment.

Key moments from Trump and Hegseth remarks at military meeting

Nearly 800 of America's top military leaders were summoned from around the globe. Apolitical officers who remained silent as their commander-in-chief took the stage and offered this greeting. You can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future. That set the tone for more awkward moments to come, including the president's suggestion that dangerous U.S. cities, like those where National Guard are currently deployed, should be used as training grounds for U.S. troops. This is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room. It's a war, too. It's a war from within. Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, said Trump's proposal is illegal. And unconstitutional. You cannot deploy our military onto the streets of our cities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opened the meeting and ripped into diversity initiatives put in place by previous administrations. No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions. That includes, he said, a return to the highest male physical fitness standards. I don't want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape or in combat unit with females who can't meet the same combat arms physical standards as men. And he took aim at the highest ranking officers. It's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country in the world. It's a bad look. Vermont Democrat Peter Welch said the meeting was unnecessary and a bad idea. It's a further effort to politicize the military. It's very, very alarming. There is no reason to bring all of these people, an enormous taxpayer expense to Washington to get a pep talk. Hegseth told the audience they could disagree with him, but the words I'm speaking today are making your heart sink. Then you should do the honorable thing and resign. Charlie, we did not hear any reaction from the generals and the admirals in the room. Take us through why that's the case. Well, Maurice, it's part of the decorum of protocol for officers not to applaud or cheer during political events or even some rallies. But while there were a few smiles, a bit of laughter here and there to some of the things that President Trump was saying, some polite applause, for the most part, the room was silent through roughly two hours of speeches. Charlie, the secretary, Secretary Hegseth, is reviewing the military handling of hazing, bullying, harassment. Explain what that's about. Yeah, so this is an overhaul and pardon me for reading. So Secretary Hegseth, there should be an overhaul of department policy defining the conduct by service members. And that includes hazing, bullying, harassment. They say it's clearly broad and promising to dismiss the records of tough leaders with past infractions.

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