Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will address senior U.S. military leaders at a meeting next week, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. He offered no additional details.
Why it matters: The gathering, reportedly in-person at a Marine Corps base in Virginia, has little precedent in scope and scale.
- The Washington Post reported hundreds of generals and admirals were summoned, including those in hot spots like the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Invites landed about a week ago.
Split screen: Military and congressional officials contacted by Axios were bewildered by the move and uncertain of Hegseth's intentions. President Trump and Vice President Vance downplayed the hush-hush plans during an Oval Office ceremony Thursday.
- "It's actually not unusual at all," Vance said, "and I think it's odd that you guys have made it into such a big story."
- "Is it a big story?" Trump replied. "Isn't it a good story?"
The intrigue: Both the Defense Department and White House have secure means to communicate across countries and timezones.
- It's unorthodox to ask so many military leaders to leave their stations at the same time.
- The DOD did not answer a question from Axios regarding remote participation.
Go deeper: The growing list of military ousters under Trump 2.0
