US President Donald Trump has suggested using American cities as 'training grounds' for the military, addressing a gathering of military leaders and stating that he perceives civil disturbances as the 'enemy from within.' Emphasizing that the military’s involvement could prevent situations from spiraling out of control, he reiterated his strategy of deploying National Guard troops in urban areas like Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Portland to combat crime and enforce immigration laws.
During his speech, Trump criticized Democratic-led cities such as San Francisco and Chicago for their safety issues. He expressed commitment to using military forces to restore order, saying, 'They're very unsafe places, and we're going to straighten them out one by one.'
The discussion was contextualized by remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who announced a shift towards 'male-level' fitness standards for military candidates, potentially impacting female participation. Hegseth's stance on ending 'woke' culture at the Pentagon reflects a broader initiative to re-establish traditional military values, which he characterized as crucial for national security.
However, Trump's and Hegseth's positions have faced backlash. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused Trump of instigating a military 'invasion' of US cities, calling such actions tyrannical. Senator Tammy Duckworth also expressed concerns that the policies advocated by Hegseth could alienate potential recruits and exacerbate already challenging diversity issues within the military. The reactions underscore the contentious atmosphere surrounding Trump's military strategies and the implications for law enforcement and civil liberties in America.
As the event unfolded at Marine Corps Base Quantico, it marked a significant forum for military leadership, where Trump's and Hegseth's comments were met with silence from the audience, raising questions about the military's political involvement and the future of US armed forces.
During his speech, Trump criticized Democratic-led cities such as San Francisco and Chicago for their safety issues. He expressed commitment to using military forces to restore order, saying, 'They're very unsafe places, and we're going to straighten them out one by one.'
The discussion was contextualized by remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who announced a shift towards 'male-level' fitness standards for military candidates, potentially impacting female participation. Hegseth's stance on ending 'woke' culture at the Pentagon reflects a broader initiative to re-establish traditional military values, which he characterized as crucial for national security.
However, Trump's and Hegseth's positions have faced backlash. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused Trump of instigating a military 'invasion' of US cities, calling such actions tyrannical. Senator Tammy Duckworth also expressed concerns that the policies advocated by Hegseth could alienate potential recruits and exacerbate already challenging diversity issues within the military. The reactions underscore the contentious atmosphere surrounding Trump's military strategies and the implications for law enforcement and civil liberties in America.
As the event unfolded at Marine Corps Base Quantico, it marked a significant forum for military leadership, where Trump's and Hegseth's comments were met with silence from the audience, raising questions about the military's political involvement and the future of US armed forces.
