US Defense Secretary Hegseth Summons Hundreds of Senior Military Officers to Unexplained Virginia Meeting

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has unexpectedly summoned hundreds of senior military officers, including generals and admirals, to a rare and urgent meeting at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. The meeting, scheduled for next week, has caused uncertainty and concern among military leadership as no official explanation for the gathering has been provided. Hegseth, who has aggressively reshaped the Pentagon—recently renamed the Department of War under President Trump—has previously ordered significant cuts to senior military ranks and dismissed several high-ranking officers without public justification. Pentagon officials and the White House have downplayed the meeting's significance, but the abrupt convening of so many top leaders at once is unprecedented and has raised questions about potential further changes in military command. Critics have expressed worries about the operational risks and security implications of assembling such a large number of senior leaders simultaneously. The lack of clarity about the meeting's agenda has fueled speculation about Hegseth's next moves in implementing Trump's national security agenda.