On September 30, 2025, hundreds of top US generals and admirals flew in from around the world to attend an emergency meeting at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Called by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and attended by President Donald Trump, the meeting’s purpose was unclear, sparking fears of significant changes or leadership purges within the military.
When the session began, Hegseth outlined his vision to end “woke” culture in the military, calling for tougher physical fitness standards and criticizing “overweight generals and admirals.” He expressed disapproval of diversity initiatives and the presence of beards, setting a strict tone that drew criticism from defense officials.
Trump’s address touched on internal conflicts within the US, framing cities as battlegrounds and promising military interventions in Democrat-led areas. His remarks included a controversial line about “two N words,” referring cryptically to nuclear weapons.
Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling condemned the meeting, describing it as a breach of military discipline and warning military leaders might resist unlawful orders. Hertling emphasized that military professionals would not carry out illegal commands and criticized the public disciplinary approach.
The gathering raised concerns about concentrating military leadership in one place, creating security risks and damaging trust between the military institution and the public.
