The purpose behind the upcoming Tuesday meeting remains uncertain, with Trump minimizing any concerns, calling it nothing ‘major.’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for an unusual assembly of high-ranking U.S. military leaders from across the globe to convene next week in Virginia.
This directive was initially reported by American news outlets on Thursday and subsequently confirmed by Pentagon representative Sean Parnell.
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The exact reasons behind Hegseth’s sudden order for generals and admirals to gather remain undisclosed, as does the agenda for the meeting.
With nearly 800 generals and admirals serving in the U.S. military-many commanding thousands of personnel, including in critical overseas assignments-such a recall is highly significant.
Typically, these senior officers maintain meticulously planned schedules weeks ahead. According to a military source who requested anonymity, these plans have now been disrupted.
“Everyone is rushing to adjust their itineraries and determine if attendance is mandatory,” the source revealed to Reuters.
When pressed for details, Parnell refrained from elaborating, stating only, “The Secretary of War will be meeting with his top military commanders early next week.”
During a signing event in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump expressed enthusiasm about the gathering, praising the initiative.
“I think it’s fantastic. It’s great,” Trump remarked. “It’s important for him to connect with generals and admirals from all corners of the world.”
He also seemed to dismiss worries that the meeting might pull key military leaders away from vital national security duties, expressing surprise at the media attention it attracted.
“Why is this such a big issue?” Trump questioned a reporter. “We’re just getting along with our generals and admirals. Remember, I’m a president who champions peace. It’s positive to have good relations. You’re acting like it’s something negative.”
Vice President JD Vance, present at the Oval Office event, also downplayed the anticipated backlash.
“It’s quite normal for generals who report to the secretary of war and ultimately to the president to meet with the secretary of war,” Vance said, calling the media’s focus on the meeting “peculiar.”
Since Trump’s second inauguration in January, he and Hegseth have embarked on a mission to reshape the Department of Defense.
This has included dismissing senior military figures, such as CQ Brown, the former Air Force general who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In May, Hegseth mandated a 20% cut in four-star officers and an additional 10% reduction among general and flag officers across the armed forces.
He has also pushed to eliminate military diversity programs, resulting in the removal of several officials linked to these initiatives.
Instead, Hegseth advocates for enhancing the military’s “combat effectiveness” and reviving its “warrior spirit.”
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order reinstating the department’s original title, the Department of War, a name used until 1949.
However, this renaming will primarily apply within the executive branch, as a formal change would require Congressional approval through legislation.
