Trump and Hegseth Slam 'Woke' Culture in Tense Address to Military Leaders
President Donald Trump is no stranger to the roar of enthusiastic crowds at his rallies, where jokes land with laughter and bold statements draw thunderous applause. But on Tuesday, that familiar energy was nowhere to be found as he addressed a room full of high-ranking military officials at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.
Standing alongside his nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, Trump delivered a pointed critique of what he called the "woke" culture infiltrating the armed forces. The audience—comprising joint chiefs, generals, admirals, and other senior personnel—remained largely expressionless, offering little in the way of reaction to the president's barbs.
"Mr. Chairman, the joint chiefs, generals, admirals, commanders, officers, senior enlisted, NCOs, enlisted, and every member of our American military—good morning," Trump began, his voice echoing in the hall. He quickly pivoted to a theme he's championed throughout his political career: restoring what he views as the military's core strength by stripping away progressive policies.
Hegseth, a Fox News contributor and Army veteran, echoed these sentiments, arguing that initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion have undermined readiness and morale. "We're welcoming you to the War Department," Trump quipped, signaling a shift back to what he described as the pre-Pentagon era of unapologetic warfighting focus. He lambasted recent administrations for what he termed a drift toward social experimentation at the expense of combat effectiveness.
The speech comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. military, as debates over cultural issues continue to simmer. Critics of "woke" policies argue they distract from essential training and recruitment, while supporters say they foster a more inclusive force reflective of modern America. Trump's address appeared aimed at rallying conservative support while signaling to military leaders his vision for a more traditionalist Department of Defense.
Though the generals' stone-faced demeanor suggested a professional restraint rather than outright dissent, the event underscored the tensions between political rhetoric and the apolitical ethos of the armed services. As Trump wrapped up, he urged the room to join him in reclaiming America's military might, but the silence that followed spoke volumes.
This address highlights broader implications for national security policy under a potential second Trump term. With ongoing global challenges from adversaries like China and Russia, the push to refocus on lethality over ideology could reshape recruitment, training, and operations.
For the full details, read the original article on WA Today.