Trump calls for using US cities as military 'training grounds,' warns of 'war from within'

Trump suggests military to use ‘dangerous’ US cities as ‘training grounds’; ‘Going into Chicago very soon’

US President Donald Trump told senior military leaders on Tuesday that American cities could be used as “training grounds” for the armed forces, warning of a “war from within” and calling for a tougher crackdown on crime.

Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Trump criticized Democratic-led cities such as Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, suggesting the military, not just the National Guard, should be deployed there.

“We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military,” Trump said. “We’re going into Chicago very soon, that’s a big city with an incompetent governor. It’s a war from within. Controlling the physical territory of our borders is essential for national security. We can’t let these people in.”

The remarks came during an unusual gathering of hundreds of generals and admirals from across the globe, which Trump used to stress themes more common to his political rallies: border security, attacks on the “corrupt” media, opposition to “woke” culture, and threats to dismiss officials he does not trust.

“If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room,” he told the audience. “Of course, there goes your rank. There goes your future. But you just feel nice and loose, OK? Because we’re all on the same team.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused Trump of using federal troops and immigration authorities to “invade and disrupt” American cities, saying: “Our troops and our nation deserve better than you acting as a petty tyrant.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who also addressed the gathering, announced an end to what he called “woke” culture at the Pentagon and unveiled stricter physical fitness requirements.

“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth told the officers. “It’s nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create or even benefited from that culture.”

He pledged changes to inspector general and equal opportunity systems, vowing: “No more frivolous complaints, no more anonymous complaints, no more repeat complainants, no more smearing reputations.”

Before leaving for Quantico, Trump had told reporters he was prepared to dismiss military leaders on the spot. “I’m going to be meeting with generals and with admirals and with leaders, and if I don’t like somebody, I’m going to fire ’em right on the spot,” he said.

Both Trump and Hegseth framed their message as a call to refocus the military on “fitness, ability, and character” rather than political correctness. “It’s to protect our country. We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom,” Trump declared.