Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s unusual meeting with military commanders took place on Tuesday morning as he and President Donald Trump called for an end to “woke” culture in the military.
“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive, don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now,” Hegseth said while speaking to top generals at a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.
Hegseth called for “no more division, distraction, or gender delusions” in a blunt speech.
Hegseth issued new directives that intensify physical standards for everyone in uniform to a “male level,” toughen grooming standards, lift restrictions on rules of engagement, and do away with racial quotas.
“Simply put, if you do not meet the male level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test, or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession,” he said.
Trump spoke after Hegseth and went through the usual playlist of talking points for the crowd: what he didn’t like about how his predecessors, former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, walk down stairs; tariffs; Biden’s use of an autopen; making Canada the 51st state; the kind of paper he wants to use when signing promotions; the “two N-words,” nuclear and the racial slur, “and you can’t use either of them”
“Last month, I signed an executive order to provide training for quick reaction force that can help quell civil disturbances. This is going to be a big thing for the people in this room, because it’s the enemy from within, and we have to handle it before it gets out of control,” Trump said.
During the speech, Hegseth made it clear to those assembled that if they weren’t on the board, they could find a new job.
“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” he said.
