Trump Proposes Using US Cities as Military Training Grounds

President Donald Trump proposed using American cities, particularly those governed by Democrats such as Chicago, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, as "training grounds" for the U.S. military to combat what he described as an "invasion from within." Speaking to nearly 800 U.S. generals and admirals at a hastily arranged meeting in Quantico, Virginia, Trump framed domestic unrest and crime as a war against internal enemies, asserting that these cities are unsafe and need to be "straightened out." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accompanied Trump, emphasizing the end of "woke" culture and announcing new military directives, reinforcing the administration's intent to reshape Pentagon culture and use military resources for domestic priorities. The president's remarks, including his references to critical journalists as "vicious people," drew sharp criticism and warnings about the militarization of domestic law enforcement and potential threats to democracy. Several state governors sued to block the deployment of the National Guard in their cities, disputing Trump's portrayal of the local conditions. Civil rights advocates expressed concern that the president's framing targets dissenters and risks escalating conflicts in communities exercising constitutional rights.