Topline
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed a comparison of his leadership style to Hitler’s after Hegseth ordered top military officials across the globe to appear in person for a meeting at Quantico in Virginia early next week, but did not say what it would be about.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends an Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on September 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Hegseth sarcastically responded “cool story, general,” to retired U.S. Army Commanding General Ben Hodges’ tweet referencing a meeting Hitler convened in which German generals were required to take an oath of allegiance to him.
The back-and-forth comes after Hegseth sent an order this week to all senior commanding officers with the rank of at least brigadier general, along with their top advisers, to appear for the meeting, multiple outlets reported, noting the rarity of convening so many high-ranking military officials, last minute, in one location with no publicly stated purpose.
The Pentagon confirmed Hegseth would address the military leaders in a statement, but did not offer details about the meeting.
Some unnamed military officials cited by CNN and the Washington Post expressed concerns about having so many high-ranking commanders in one location, while one of the sources cited by the Washington Post said it could make overseas commands “diminished if something pops up.”
“Are we taking every general and flag officer out of the Pacific right now?” one unnamed U.S. official told the Washington Post, calling the move “weird.”
Contra
President Donald Trump dismissed concerns about the meeting on Thursday, suggesting the generals would be “touring equipment sites” and “talking about the newest weapons.” Vice President JD Vance told reporters in the same press conference “it’s actually not unusual at all and I think it’s odd that you guys have made it into such a big story.”
Tangent
The meeting comes amid a looming threat of a government shutdown. Talks among Republicans and Democrats in Congress are at a stalemate just days before the Sept. 30 deadline to approve a new spending plan before the existing one expires. The Trump administration on Wednesday ordered all agencies to identify areas for permanent cuts in the event of a shutdown, breaking precedent with previous shutdowns when workers were furloughed until the government could reopen.
Key Background
Hegseth ordered the Defense Department in May to cut the number of four-star generals and admirals by 20% amid a staffing reduction across the federal government. He subsequently ordered an additional 10% cut of all general and flag officers and 20% reduction to the top ranks in the National Guard. The Trump administration has also fired several high-profile leaders, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and former Coast Guard commandant Adm. Linda Fagan.
Further Reading
Hegseth orders rare, urgent meeting of hundreds of generals, admirals (Washington Post)
Hegseth orders hundreds of senior military officers to Virginia for highly unusual meeting (CNN)
Hegseth Is Said to Have Summoned U.S. Military Brass From Around the Globe (New York Times)