Trump and Defence Secretary Push End to ‘Woke’ Culture, Announce New Military Fitness Standards

President Trump recently suggested using American cities as “training grounds” for the military, describing a need for strong armed forces to address what he referred to as an “invasion from within.”
Speaking to a gathering of high-ranking military officials called together unexpectedly in Virginia, he presented a bold and unconventional view on the military’s role in domestic matters. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was also present, announcing an end to “woke” culture and introducing new directives for troops, including “gender-neutral” or “male-level” physical fitness standards.
These statements highlighted efforts by the administration to not only transform the Pentagon’s culture but also to mobilise military resources for domestic priorities, such as addressing unrest and violent crime.

“We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military,” the president said.
He added, “We’re under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy but more difficult in many ways because they don’t wear uniforms.”

Hegseth, addressing military leaders summoned to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, criticised what he called the military’s embrace of “woke” policies and urged those opposed to the new direction to “do the honorable thing and resign.”
While meetings between military and civilian leaders are common, the suddenness and secrecy surrounding this event sparked speculation. The presence of commanders from active conflict zones for a discussion focused on race and gender issues underscored how cultural battles have become central to the Pentagon’s agenda, even amid global security concerns.

‘We will not be politically correct’

Unlike the enthusiastic crowds the president often draws, the military leaders listened mostly without reaction, maintaining the armed services’ tradition of nonpartisanship.
At the start of his remarks, the president invited applause but warned,

“If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room — of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future.” This drew some laughter.

Before the president spoke, Hegseth criticised military promotions based on “race, gender quotas and ‘historic firsts,’” declaring,

“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level.”
Echoing this, the president stated, “The purpose of America military is not to protect anyone’s feelings. It’s to protect our republic. We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom.”

Several service members who spoke anonymously expressed uncertainty about how these messages would affect their daily duties. Some worried about framing domestic unrest as a form of warfare, while others welcomed a renewed focus on strict fitness standards and cutting unnecessary training.
One senior lawmaker described the meeting as “an expensive, dangerous dereliction of leadership,” criticising the Defence Secretary’s demand that senior officers conform to his political views or resign, calling it “profoundly dangerous.”
Military deployment on U.S. soil
The president has already pushed the boundaries of the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in law enforcement. He has deployed National Guard and active-duty Marines to cities like Los Angeles to address crime and illegal immigration, and increased troop presence along the southern border.
While National Guard units usually operate under state authority and are exempt from this law, it applies when they are federalised, as occurred in Los Angeles despite opposition from the state’s governor.
He also emphasised a focus on the Western Hemisphere, citing military strikes on boats in the Caribbean targeting drug traffickers.
Relaxing disciplinary measures
Hegseth announced plans to ease disciplinary rules and reduce protections against hazing, aiming to remove barriers put in place after past scandals. He said he would review definitions of “toxic leadership, bullying and hazing” to empower commanders to enforce standards without fear of backlash.
“People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career,” Hegseth said.
Bullying and toxic leadership have been linked to numerous military suicides in recent years, including that of a young sailor who was driven to suicide by harassment.
Gender-neutral standards
Hegseth criticised environmental policies and transgender troops, dismissing the idea that “our diversity is our strength” as an “insane fallacy.” He announced that “every designated combat arms position returns to the highest male standard,” though physical requirements for many combat roles already do not vary by gender.

He clarified, “If women can make it, excellent; if not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it. That is not the intent, but it could be the result.”

A Republican senator who served in the Iraq War supported this stance, saying,

“There should be a same set of standards for combat arms.”

Meanwhile, a former Marine and veteran advocate described Hegseth’s speech as focused more on “stoking grievance than strengthening the force,” criticising it as “cartoonish” and disconnected from what truly improves military readiness.
Hegseth’s remarks come at a time of potential government shutdown and following a series of unusual decisions, including cuts to the number of generals and the dismissal of other senior military leaders.