In a speech that stunned even some of his own commanders, US President Donald Trump has declared that American cities should serve as “training grounds” for the military, describing domestic unrest as the “enemy from within.”
Addressing hundreds of senior officers and global military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Trump outlined a sweeping vision for a harder, more aggressive US armed forces, one that he said would “reclaim control” of cities he branded unsafe and “straighten out one by one.”
“It’s a war from within,” Trump told the silent room. “Controlling the physical territory of our borders is essential for national security. We can’t let these people in.”
The remarks follow his recent deployment of National Guard troops to Washington DC, Los Angeles and Portland, officially to tackle crime and support immigration enforcement, but condemned by critics as a politicisation of the military.
‘Woke Era is Over’, Says Defence Secretary
Before Trump spoke, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth took to the stage to announce an end to what he called “woke culture” in the Pentagon. He unveiled a raft of sweeping changes, including “male-level” physical fitness standards, a ban on anonymous complaints, and the end of what he termed the “era of unprofessional appearances”, such as beard exemptions.
“Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral and high,” Hegseth said, acknowledging that the shift would exclude some women from service.
He also promised to restore a “warrior ethos” across the ranks, part of what he described as a cultural rearmament within the armed forces.
“We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom,” Trump later echoed.
Critics Slam ‘Militarisation of Cities’
The reaction was swift. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused Trump of using the military and ICE to “invade and disrupt” US cities.
“Our troops and our nation deserve better than you acting as a petty tyrant,” he posted on X.
Military veteran and Senator Tammy Duckworth warned the administration’s rhetoric could cripple recruitment:
“I don’t know folks who want to serve in a military that’s being used for political theatre.”
She accused Hegseth of trying to push women and minorities out of the armed forces, calling the comments “discriminatory and dangerous.”
A Silent Audience
Security at Quantico, a sprawling 55,000-acre Marine Corps facility, was extraordinarily tight. The event, which brought together generals and admirals from across the globe, was shrouded in secrecy until days before.
As Trump entered, the vast auditorium fell completely silent, the only sound was hundreds of boots snapping to attention. Many officers took notes but offered no applause throughout the address.
“I’ve never walked into a room so silent before,” Trump joked, before praising his audience for their “discipline and loyalty.”
He went on to tout his administration’s military record, claiming to have “settled seven wars” and teasing an eighth if Hamas accepts his Gaza proposal.
Rebranding the Pentagon
Trump also confirmed his widely trailed plan to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, calling it a “historic reassertion” of America’s martial identity.
“It’s about purpose, pride and strength,” he said. “Even my critics love the name.”
Vice-President JD Vance downplayed the gathering as “nothing unusual”, though NATO’s top military officer, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, told reporters he had “never seen anything like it” in nearly five decades of service.
Analysts said the mass summoning of senior officers was unprecedented in recent history, with some questioning why it could not have been held virtually.
But Trump defended the move as a way to “build esprit de corps” and reawaken the warrior spirit of America’s armed forces.
“Together,” he concluded, “we’re reawakening the warrior spirit, the spirit that built and won this nation.”
