United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump used a Pentagon event last week to launch sharp criticism at top U.S. military leaders and lay out a set of controversial new priorities that have already sparked political backlash.
Hegseth, who has overseen widespread changes since Trump returned to office, opened the gathering by condemning what he called a “woke Pentagon.” He defended his decision to fire senior officers, including the military’s top general and the Navy’s top admiral, arguing they symbolized a broken culture.
Declaring that the days of “fat generals and admirals” were over, Hegseth announced stricter fitness and grooming rules, saying all standards would now be male-only. “The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” he said, as the audience of officers listened in silence.
Trump followed with an hour-long speech that mixed praise for the armed forces with attacks on political opponents and the media. “If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future,” he remarked, before pledging full support to the military. “I support you, and as president, I have your backs 100%.”
The president also dismissed diversity initiatives in the armed forces, promising a return to what he called merit-based promotions.
Democrats immediately condemned the event, warning that it politicized the military. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it sent the wrong signal: “It suggests partisan loyalty matters more than service to the Constitution.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also criticized Trump’s language after the president described undocumented immigrants as part of an “invasion from within.” Pritzker said, “Anyone who talks about their fellow Americans as enemies to be ‘taken out’ is not fit to lead the nation.”
The Pentagon gathering came after eight months of sweeping changes under Trump. His administration has banned certain books in military academies, dismissed senior commanders, authorized lethal strikes on suspected drug boats off Venezuela, and signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” though the change requires congressional approval.
Over the weekend, Trump also revealed plans to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, in addition to earlier deployments in Los Angeles, with promises to expand to Chicago. He reportedly told Hegseth these cities could be used as “training grounds” for U.S. forces.
The moves highlight the administration’s push to reshape the military, but critics warn they risk undermining its nonpartisan role and credibility both at home and abroad.
