‘We love them’: Trump says he will address meeting with top US military leaders
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US President Donald Trump (left) greeting Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during an event at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Sept 11.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Sept 28 that he would tell a gathering of US generals and admirals in Quantico, Virginia, that they were cherished leaders who needed to be strong and tough.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned senior US military leaders from around the world for a meeting in Quantico on Sept 30 – a rare gathering of the country’s military leadership in one location.
“I want to tell the generals that we love them, they’re cherished leaders, to be strong, be tough and be smart and be compassionate,” Mr Trump told Reuters in an interview.
“That’s all that is, esprit de corps. It’s about time somebody did that,” he added.
Mr Trump’s attendance could overshadow Mr Hegseth, who was expected to discuss the need to adhere to a “warrior ethos” throughout the military and may touch on other areas.
The US has troops around the world, including in distant locations such as South Korea, Japan and across the Middle East, commanded by two-, three- and four-star generals and admirals.
In almost every public speech he gives, Mr Hegseth talks about the “warrior ethos” and the need for the US military to have a warrior mentality.
Earlier in September, Mr Trump signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defence
Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has moved with stunning speed to reshape the department, firing top generals and admirals as he seeks to implement Mr Trump’s national security agenda and root out diversity initiatives he calls discriminatory.
Officials told Reuters the event is expected to take place at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia.
Some of the most senior officials, who are provided US military aircraft for official travel, are expected to fly into Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
It is unclear why the gathering could not have taken place virtually, and it will likely cost millions of dollars to transport and protect such a large gathering. REUTERS
