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The Pentagon is gathering lots of of high U.S. army leaders for an uncommon assembly — one which comes as President Donald Trump has ramped up his criticism of Russia and because the Pentagon gears up a brand new nationwide protection technique prioritizing homeland protection.
A number of Struggle Division officers confirmed to Fox Information that the Pentagon requested high army commanders to convene in Virginia for the assembly this week. Nonetheless, the subject of the dialogue stays unclear.
The Pentagon confirmed the assembly however didn’t supply particulars.
HEGSETH ORDERS HUNDREDS OF MILITARY COMMANDERS TO VIRGINIA FOR UNPRECEDENTED MEETING
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a information convention on the Pentagon on June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs)
“The Secretary of Struggle will likely be addressing his senior army leaders early subsequent week,” chief spokesperson Sean Parnell mentioned in an announcement final week.
The weird assembly would contain roughly 800 generals and admirals who’re based mostly all all through the U.S. and stationed in varied components of the world.
These invited to the assembly say they have been instructed little, sources instructed Fox Information Digital. Generals on Thursday exchanged messages from throughout the globe speculating on why the secretary would possibly wish to see them face-to-face.
The Washington Put up first reported Struggle Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plans for the Thursday assembly. The Put up additionally reported on Friday that Hegseth plans to debate “warrior ethos” with the officers.
In the meantime, the assembly comes amid a number of key international and nationwide safety developments, together with Trump leveling criticism and ire towards Russia amid its ongoing battle with Ukraine.
NATO DEFENSE CHIEFS STRESS COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE, DISCUSS SECURITY GUARANTEES DURING VIRTUAL SUMMIT
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on “Particular Report” that his relationship with President Donald Trump had improved. (Ukranian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu by way of Getty Photographs)
For instance, Trump voiced his frustration with Russia Tuesday and accused Moscow of “preventing aimlessly” and in contrast Russia to a “paper tiger,” after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on the United Nations Basic Meeting.
Moreover, he mentioned that he believes Ukraine, with the backing of the European Union, may safe again all of its territory because the battle between Russia and Ukraine persists.
“I feel Ukraine, with the assist of the European Union, is able to combat and WIN all of Ukraine again in its authentic type. With time, endurance, and the monetary assist of Europe and, particularly, NATO, the unique Borders from the place this Struggle began, could be very a lot an possibility,” Trump mentioned in a Tuesday social media publish. “Putin and Russia are in BIG Financial hassle, and that is the time for Ukraine to behave.”
In current weeks, Russia has been testing the boundaries of NATO, seemingly daring members of the defensive alliance to reply. Russian drones have been present in Polish and Romanian airspace and three Russian jets carrying missiles flew over Estonia just lately.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz promised the U.S. would defend “each inch” of NATO in his U.N. handle and Trump mused that nations ought to shoot down Russian plane that traverse into their territory.
Behind closed doorways, U.S. officers fear the state of affairs might escalate.
“Virtually all wars, if you happen to take a look at them, they do not essentially begin with an enormous bang,” one senior State Division official instructed Fox Information Digital. “They begin with an escalation, after which someone feels they want to answer this, and you then simply get in a poisonous spiral.”
“The very last thing we wish is to have NATO get drawn right into a battle with Russia.”
JOINT CHIEFS, NATO COUNTERPARTS TO DISCUSS UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEES AFTER TRUMP SUGGESTS US AIR SUPPORT
President Donald Trump speaks in the course of the eightieth session of the UN’s Basic Meeting (UNGA) on the United Nations headquarters Sept. 23, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photographs)
The assembly additionally comes as administration officers are assembling a brand new Nationwide Protection Technique that identifies homeland protection as the highest precedence — in alignment with Trump’s “America First” agenda. Beforehand, the Nationwide Protection Technique has recognized countering threats from China as its high focus.
Likewise, the assembly comes because the Pentagon has eyes on slimming down its high officers. Hegseth beforehand unveiled plans in Could to trim down 20% of four-star generals and admirals, together with an extra 10% discount generally and flag officers throughout the army.
Fox Information’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
