"The highly unusual directive was sent to virtually all of the military's top commanders worldwide, according to more than a dozen people familiar with the matter. It was issued earlier this week, against the backdrop of a potential government shutdown, and as Hegseth's overtly political moves have deepened a sense of distress among his opponents who fear that he is erasing the Defense Department's status as a nonpartisan institution."
"Naturally, Hegseth's silence on why he suddenly needs most of the military's top commanders in one place at the same time has engendered speculation as to the meeting's purpose. The darkest idea is that Hegseth will demand that the various commanders take some kind of loyalty oath to the current administration. (Saddam Hussein used to be fond of those.) In any case, it's thrown the highest level of the country's military into confusion."
"The sudden meeting has led to frantic travel plans and concerns from some defense officials, who worry about the disruption it will cause to their schedules and the security aspects of having most of the military's top officers in one place. Whatever it is can be communicated through secure emails, phone calls and video links, said one of the officials, who like others, was granted anonymity to discuss internal decisions."
A highly unusual directive summoned virtually all of the military's top commanders worldwide to a meeting at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The order arrived amid the threat of a government shutdown and follows increasingly political actions by the secretary that have alarmed opponents who fear erosion of the Defense Department's nonpartisan status. Invitees expressed confusion and concern about schedule disruption and security risks from assembling so many senior officers in one location. Officials noted the content could have been handled by secure emails, phone calls, or video links. Some privately speculated the meeting could pressure commanders for loyalty commitments, intensifying apprehension.
#pete-hegseth #military-leadership-meeting #politicization-of-defense-department #government-shutdown
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