US President Donald Trump has said he wants to use American cities as training grounds for the military.
In an unusual address to hundreds of military leaders assembled from across the world, Trump described civil disturbances as the enemy from within. He added that the situation won't get out of control once you're involved.
This follows the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, in efforts to crack down on crime and support immigration enforcement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke at the event, declaring an end to woke culture at the Pentagon and announcing new stringent physical fitness standards for military officials.
The president reiterated his criticism of major Democratic-led cities like San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, asserting his commitment to using the military to maintain law and order. They're very unsafe places, and we're going to straighten them out one by one, he said.
Various political figures responded critically, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accusing Trump of utilizing military resources to invade and disrupt American cities.
The summit, held at Marine Corps Base Quantico, was marked by tight security and can be seen as a rare public gathering of high-ranking military officials.
Trump's proposals and Hegseth's remarks signal a potentially significant shift in how military and civilian affairs intersect, particularly regarding law enforcement and military culture. The military's future dynamics and recruitment could be affected by these controversial developments.
