10/01/2025
hegseth and trump used their speeches to top US generals as a platform for some of the most reprehensible rhetoric in recent American history, shaming officers, mocking “fat generals,” and railing against “woke garbage”. hegseth’s unveiled agenda included eliminating “the rules of engagement,” which are the legal and ethical lines that protect civilians and ensure accountability during wartime. By calling these safeguards “stupid” and demanding their removal, hegseth is essentially giving American forces a free pass to ignore the most basic norms of decency—what any reasonable observer would consider a license for war crimes.
trump escalated these horrors by saying cities like Chicago and New York should be used as “training grounds,” painting Democratic-led communities as enemy territory in a “war from within”. Such statements signal a breakdown in civil society and invite open political violence on home soil, actions that have no place in a democracy. How could any person who has achieved the rank of general listen to trump talk about waging war on US citizens and not be reminded of the darkest times in 1930s Germany, when the military was used against people in its own country?
The generals endured gross insults to their integrity and professionalism from these two men, who showed no respect for their dedication to the Constitution and their duty to protect all Americans. Facing disgraceful accusations of weakness, political correctness, and even betrayal, many officers reportedly left the auditorium in silence, likely feeling sickened and horrified by what they heard. This episode made it painfully clear that trump is not merely divisive—he is actively angling to spark internal conflict, encouraging the military to turn on the public and weaponizing national security in the service of his own power. In this climate, calls for a “rapid response force” to address “the enemy from within” sound less like hyperbole and more like preparation for strife and chaos, driving America further toward a crisis of democracy and decency.
