Trump and Hegseth Address Military Leaders in Rare Quantico Gathering

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed a rare assembly of U.S. military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, delivering strong messages on discipline, readiness, and alignment with their vision for the armed forces.

In his remarks, Hegseth sharply criticized what he described as a decline in military culture, targeting diversity initiatives and calling for a return to a “warrior ethos.” He warned that officers who disagreed with his approach should consider resignation. Trump, standing alongside him, voiced full support for sweeping personnel changes and asserted his authority over military leadership.

The gathering comes amid a wave of changes in top command ranks, including dismissals of senior officers and policy shifts on grooming, fitness standards, and handling of misconduct claims. Observers say the event underscores the administration’s effort to reshape the military hierarchy and reinforce loyalty.

Many see the tone and content of these speeches as pushing the boundaries of traditional civil-military norms, raising questions about how commanders might respond and how Congress will react. The impact of today’s address is expected to echo through Pentagon ranks in the days ahead.