Trump Calls for Using US Cities As a ‘Training Ground’ for Military in Unusual Speech to Generals

October 3, 2025

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed military leaders at Quantico, proposing controversial changes to military roles and culture. Trump suggested using dangerous American cities as military training grounds and characterized domestic unrest as an "invasion from within," while Hegseth announced the end of "woke" policies including a return to "male-level" physical fitness standards. The hastily called meeting focused heavily on culture war issues rather than global security concerns, with Hegseth telling military leaders who disagreed with his approach to resign.

Who is affected

Military leaders and their advisers who were summoned to the meeting
Women serving in combat roles who may face changed physical standards
Transgender troops who were specifically criticized in Hegseth's speech
Residents of "dangerous cities" that Trump proposed using as military training grounds
Military officials concerned about the politicization of the armed forces
Rank-and-file military personnel uncertain about how these directives will affect their service

What action is being taken

President Trump is proposing using American cities as training grounds for the military
Defense Secretary Hegseth is implementing "gender-neutral" or "male-level" standards for physical fitness
Trump is sending National Guard and active duty Marines to Los Angeles
The Trump administration is conducting military strikes on boats in the Caribbean targeting drug traffickers
Military services are trying to determine next steps regarding the new physical standards directives

Why it matters

The proposals represent a significant shift in how the military would be used domestically
The approach tests the limits of the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement
The focus on culture war issues is occurring amid serious global security concerns
The directives could change standards for women in combat positions
The politicization of the military challenges its traditional nonpartisan stance
The administration's actions have prompted criticism from Democratic lawmakers and some military veterans

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint