Trump threatens to fire US military leaders on the spot if he doesn't like them

US President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that he would remove US military leaders immediately if they did not meet his expectations. Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Quantico, Virginia, Trump said his meeting with senior officers would come with clear consequences for those who failed to align with his vision.

"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 him right on the spot," Trump told reporters on the South Lawn.

Addressing an auditorium full of top brass summoned from around the world, Trump and his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced cultural and structural changes to the armed forces.

The president has repeatedly emphasised that he seeks leaders who embody a tougher, more hard-line ethos.

"You have to have unbelievable people," Trump said. "When they’re not good, when we don’t think they’re our warriors, you know what happens? We say, you’re fired. Get out."

The administration has pushed to sideline what officials describe as "woke" policies and to refocus the Pentagon on stricter discipline, loyalty, and combat readiness.

HEGSETH WARNS OFFICERS TO FALL IN LINE

Before Trump’s arrival, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the assembled officers with blunt warnings about the administration’s priorities.

"If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honourable thing and resign," Hegseth said. He argued that some military leaders had been "inculcated with the culture of previous administrations," which he labelled "the Department of Woke."

"We are done with that s***," he declared.

Hegseth announced an array of directives: stricter physical fitness standards, daily exercise requirements, and tougher enforcement of grooming rules. "No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression," he told the audience.

He also vowed to overhaul the inspector general and equal opportunity programs. "No more anonymous complaints, no more legal limbo," Hegseth said.

When Trump took the stage in Virginia, the response from the assembled officers was subdued, something he himself noted.

"I’ve never walked into a room so silent before," Trump said, prompting laughter from some attendees. He then added, "If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future."

"We’re a team," Trump said. "And so my message to you is very simple: I am with you. I support you and, as president, I have your backs 100 percent."

"You’ll never see me even waver a little bit. That’s the way it is," he added.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

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