WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of U.S. military leaders from across the world to gather in Quantico, Virginia, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“This event was an expensive, dangerous dereliction of leadership by the Trump Administration.

“While American forces confront real threats across the globe, Mr. Hegseth and President Trump chose to pull generals and admirals away from their missions to listen to hours of political grievances.

“Even more troubling was Mr. Hegseth’s ultimatum to America’s senior officers: conform to his political worldview or step aside. That demand is profoundly dangerous. It signals that partisan loyalty matters more than capability, judgment, or service to the Constitution, undermining the principle of a professional, nonpartisan military.

“His words were divisive and corrosive to the force itself. America’s military strength depends on men and women of every race, gender, and creed. By dismissing and marginalizing servicemembers who do not fit his narrow vision, Hegseth insulted those who serve honorably and eroded the cohesion that makes our military strong.

“President Trump’s remarks offered no strategy, no operational guidance, and no plan to address real threats. His reckless suggestion that American cities be used as “training grounds” for U.S. troops is a dangerous assault on our democracy, treating our own communities as war zones and our citizens as enemies.

“At a time when global security demands focus, this gathering distracted from our troops’ missions and wasted their time. Leadership requires seriousness and respect for those who serve. What happened at Quantico was the opposite.”