As the government teeters on the brink of a shutdown, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed an auditorium filled with several hundred of the nation's most seasoned military commanders on Tuesday. This significant event was held at a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, a secure location just an hour south of the nation's capital. The high-profile meeting was summoned on short notice, bringing military leaders from around the globe to discuss pressing matters.
Defense Secretary Hegseth opened the event with a compelling speech focusing on the critical importance of the warrior ethos, a term that encapsulates the spirit and effectiveness of combat units. "We must be prepared," he asserted. "Either we're ready to win, or we are not." Hegseth emphasized that the speech was about people and culture, calling for the establishment of the right culture within the War Department. He declared that all service members must meet fitness tests and grooming standards, stating firmly, "No more fat generals" and "No more beardos." He proclaimed that the era of unacceptable appearance is over.
During his address, Hegseth demanded that the department clear a path for leaders to truly lead. "You might say we are ending the war on warriors," he declared, urging his audience to embrace the new standards he is enforcing. He challenged those who found the new requirements daunting to consider resignation. This meeting, a part of the broader rebranding effort initiated by Trump, highlighted the significance of maintaining combat standards that ensure the troops remain lethal and effective.
Following Hegseth’s speech, President Trump took the stage to address the military leaders before releasing the military generals and flag officers to return to their duty stations. The gathering had been shrouded in speculation, with rumors circulating that it could involve urgent cuts to military forces or a redefined national defense strategy under Trump's second administration. However, sources indicated that the meeting was more of a morale-boosting event, resembling Hegseth's typical public addresses and interviews on Fox News.
On Sunday, the program received an unexpected boost when the White House announced Trump's participation in the event. Details regarding how and when Trump learned of Hegseth's meeting, as well as the focus of his remarks, remain unclear. Meanwhile, the Defense Department, now referred to as the Department of War under Trump and Hegseth, has not disclosed the costs associated with flying in so many military leaders on short notice, but estimates suggest it could amount to several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The event takes place as the government heads toward a potential shutdown that could force around 2 million troops to work without pay if a spending bill is not passed by Congress by midnight Wednesday. Although military personnel are expected to be paid on October 1, officials indicated that subsequent payments would depend on ongoing negotiations on Capitol Hill, which are currently at a stalemate.
According to a contingency plan released by the Pentagon over the weekend, all active-duty troops would be required to continue working despite the shutdown. The plan also states that contracts would move forward, albeit under increased scrutiny, prioritizing efforts related to securing the U.S. southern border, the development of Trump’s missile shield known as Golden Dome, as well as operations in the Middle East and shipbuilding initiatives.
There were concerns that the commanders traveling from around the world to attend the event could find themselves stranded away from their assigned work locations should the government shut down that night. However, government guidelines dictate that personnel must return home as soon as possible if a shutdown occurs during work travel. Any travel expenses incurred after the shutdown would be reimbursable once government spending resumes.
