President Donald Trump has contradicted his Vice President JD Vance over the significance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth organizing a meeting with military officials.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump claimed the meeting of military officers, which is set to take place in northern Virginia next week, was “a big story” after his VP called it “not unusual.”
Newsweek contacted the Pentagon by email outside of normal business hours to comment on this story and will update it with any response.
Why It Matters
Hegseth has ordered hundreds of the nation’s top military officers to assemble at a Marine Corps base in northern Virginia next week for an unscheduled meeting, sparking speculation from the media and other stakeholders because no reason has been given for the coming together.
The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at Quantico, will bring together generals and admirals of one-star rank or higher, along with senior advisers, according to the Associated Press. It was first reported by The Washington Post and follows the department overseeing mass firings since the start of the second Trump administration, though there is no suggestion that the meeting will be about personnel issues.
There are around 800 generals and admirals in the U.S.
What To Know
During the conversation, which came as the President signed a latest tranche of executive orders, Trump said: “Isn’t it nice that people are coming from all over the world to be with us?
Addressing reporters, Vance interjected: “It’s not particularly unusual that generals who report to the secretary of war and into the President of the United States are coming to speak with the secretary of war. It’s actually not unusual at all and I think it’s odd that you guys have made it into such a big story.”
Trump said: “Is it a big story?”
Vance replied: “I don’t think it is sir.”
Trump replied: “Isn’t it a good story?”
During the meeting with reporters, Trump also said the meeting may include a review of military equipment.
“We have the greatest equipment in the world,” he said. “A lot of generals want to be here. They’re also going to be touring equipment sites. They’re going to be talking about the newest weapons.”
He also said he would attend the military meeting “if they want me”.
It comes after Hegseth and Trump recently announced that the Department of Defense would be renamed the Department of War.
What People Are Saying
Meanwhile, it follows other major changes in the department. In May, Hegseth ordered a 20 percent cut in four-star generals and admirals, along with a 10 percent reduction in all other flag officers, and directed the National Guard to shed one-fifth of its top positions.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, said in a statement to Newsweek Thursday: “The Secretary of War will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week.” He did not provide further details about the meeting.
What Happens Next
Further details about the meeting will likely become clear next week when it concludes. Meanwhile, Hegseth and Pentagon officials are said to be working on a new defense strategy for the U.S., according to reports.