What is the reaction of the US  #Military to  #Trump‘s speech to them?
Trump and War Secretary Pete  #Hegseth addressed hundreds of senior officers, with Trump floating the controversial idea of using U.S. cities as “training grounds” to combat an “enemy within”.Military leadership reacted to former President Trump’s September 30, 2025, speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico with silence and a subdued demeanor, in line with the military’s tradition of remaining apolitical
Key reactions and points from the event:
Silence from the audience: Despite Trump’s remarks—which were met with boisterous applause at his rallies—the generals and admirals in attendance largely remained silent. Some news outlets reported that senior leaders had been cautioned beforehand not to cheer or react to partisan comments. Trump himself noted the unusually quiet atmosphere, joking that he’d never walked into such a silent room.
Jokes about punishment: After observing the lack of reaction, Trump encouraged the officers to “feel nice and loose”. He added that they could leave if they disliked his speech, but warned it would cost them their rank and future.
Controversial proposals: Trump’s speech focused on using the military, including the National Guard, to quell crime and civil unrest in Democratic-led cities, referring to the situation as a “war from within”. This sparked concern among critics regarding the long-standing civil-military norms and the possibility of legal challenges under the Posse Comitatus Act.
Criticism from outside the room: Retired military officials expressed concerns about Hegseth and Trump’s  comments.One retired brigadier general called the meeting an “insult” and a “tremendous waste of time and resources”.
Another retired Army lieutenant general called Trump’s mention of using troops against an “enemy within” a violation of military principles, stating, “Soldiers are training to protect American citizens from foreign adversaries,” not from citizens themselves.

Political messaging: The event was widely viewed as highly political, with Trump and Hegseth using the platform to advance culture war grievances. Hegseth introduced new directives targeting diversity initiatives and tightening standards, including a new “gender-neutral” or “male-level” physical standard for combat roles. Hegseth also criticized “fat generals,” a comment retired officials found insulting.
Cost and necessity of the meeting: Critics questioned the necessity and cost of flying hundreds of top military leaders from around the world for a meeting that coincided with a government shutdown. Some called it a “loyalty test”.
While the military’s top brass maintained their composure in line with professional norms, the event created a significant rift between the administration’s political agenda and traditional civil-military relations.
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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025