President Donald Trump spoke to hundreds of top military officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on September 30, 2025, during an unusual meeting that has caught a lot of attention. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called generals and admirals from around the world on short notice for the meeting, at first without telling them why they needed to come. The meeting brought together nearly 800 military leaders of one-star rank or higher, making many of them fly thousands of miles with just a few days of warning. Military and congressional officials were confused and worried about the sudden meeting, especially because these kinds of meetings usually happen through secure video calls or written messages instead of making commanders travel from their posts around the world. During his speech, Trump noticed how quiet the room was. “I’ve never walked into a room so silent before,” he said as the officers laughed. He then told the military leaders they could clap if they wanted and were free to do whatever they wished. But he added a sharp comment about those who might not like what he was saying. “If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room,” Trump said. “Of course there goes your rank, there goes your future.” The president said this in what seemed like a joking way, and the audience laughed. Military officers usually stay quiet and don’t show their political views during events like this, which is why they were so silent at first. Hegseth delivers vision for military overhaul Before Trump spoke, Hegseth gave his own speech laying out a ten-point plan to change military culture. He called for an end to what he called “politically correct, overly sensitive” leadership and attacked diversity programs in the military. “The era of politically correct, overly sensitive, don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now,” Hegseth said. Trump: I never walked into a room so silent before…If you want to applaud you applaud. You can do anything you want. If you don't like what I'm saying, you can leave the room. There goes your rank and there goes your future. pic.twitter.com/DUXBazdijy— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 30, 2025 The defense secretary announced new rules including making combat positions meet “the highest male standard only” and said drill sergeants could “put their hands on recruits” to push them harder. He also went after “fat generals and admirals” and said it was “completely unacceptable” to see overweight officers leading commands. Hegseth told the leaders in the room that if his message made their “hearts sink,” they should quit their jobs. Trump’s speech went on for about 71 minutes and talked about many topics beyond military issues, including tariffs and ending DEI programs. He defended his administration’s use of military forces to police American cities and said troops could use “dangerous cities as training grounds.” The president also praised changing the name of the Department of Defense to the “Department of War,” even though Congress has not officially approved this name change. The meeting happens as the Trump administration has fired many senior military leaders this year, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General CQ Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti. Hegseth has also ordered a 20 percent cut in four-star generals and admirals. The meeting took place as the federal government was close to shutting down at midnight, which could make military personnel work without getting paid.