Trump to attend unprecedented army assembly at Quantico with generals

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President Donald Trump is ready to attend Tuesday’s unprecedented all-hands assembly of U.S. army commanders in Quantico, Va., he stated Sunday.

As hypothesis swirls over why generals and flag officers from world wide had been summoned, Trump insisted the aim was celebratory.

"It’s actually only a very good assembly speaking about how nicely we’re doing militarily, speaking about being in nice form, speaking about a whole lot of good, optimistic issues. It’s only a good message," Trump instructed NBC Information.

"We now have some nice individuals coming in, and it’s simply an ‘esprit de corps.’ You understand the expression ‘esprit de corps’? That’s all it’s about. We’re speaking about what we’re doing, what they’re doing, and the way we’re doing."

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President Donald Trump is ready to attend Tuesday’s unprecedented all-hands assembly of U.S. army commanders in Quantico, Va., he stated Sunday. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg through Getty Photographs)

The gathering represents a significant logistical and safety feat, concentrating practically each high U.S. army chief in a single location. Trump’s attendance raises the stakes additional, placing the Secret Service accountable for safety.

Lots of of generals, admirals and their senior enlisted leaders — ranked one star and above — had been ordered final week to attend the assembly with Warfare Secretary Pete Hegseth . The invitation provided no said motive, fueling hypothesis it may herald mass cuts according to Hegseth’s push to shrink the final officer corps.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Unwell., wrote to the Pentagon searching for particulars on the price of flying in officers on such brief discover and whether or not digital alternate options had been thought of. About 800 common and flag officers are stationed worldwide, and along with their enlisted advisors and aides, the quantity descending on Quantico may exceed 1,000, in response to Duckworth. She additionally requested what accounts would cowl the prices, whether or not return journey may be disrupted by a possible authorities shutdown, and if a cost-benefit evaluation preceded the choice to fulfill in particular person.

TOP US MILITARY BRASS TO HOLD SECRETIVE MEETING WITH HEGSETH AS TRUMP RAMPS UP RUSSIA CRITICISM

Lots of of generals, admirals and their senior enlisted leaders — ranked one star and above — had been ordered final week to attend the assembly with Warfare Secretary Pete Hegseth. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs)

Protection officers and analysts have urged the assembly could preview cuts not solely to the final officer ranks but in addition to civilian and contractor roles at bases worldwide. Others imagine it may foreshadow reductions to the U.S. pressure posture in Europe and the Center East, according to an anticipated nationwide protection technique that prioritizes homeland protection after years of emphasis on the Indo-Pacific and China.

The high-level officers will collect at Quantico (Alex Wong/Getty Photographs)

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Hegseth has pledged to chop the final officer corps by 20 p.c and has already dismissed roughly two dozen senior officers. Studies additionally counsel he intends to make use of the assembly to emphasize his "warrior ethos," which protection sources counsel might be a option to remind commanders of their obligation to stay apolitical, and reassert his private authority over the pressure.

Final week, Trump signed an govt order directing legislation enforcement and the army to counter "home terrorism and arranged political violence." On Sunday, at Trump’s route, Hegseth knowledgeable the adjutant common of the Oregon National Guard that 200 troops could be deployed for 60 days to guard immigration enforcement officers dealing with protests. The federalized Guard members will serve beneath U.S. Northern Command.