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No authoritarian leader or would-be dictator has previously assembled the entire high-ranking officer corps of their military in one room to belittle them as failures and embarrass them for their slovenly grooming standards, while insulting whole classes serving in the army, navy and air force as lesser and undeserving.

The former president is used to entering gatherings with enthusiastic crowds applauding to music. "I have never entered a room so quiet before," Trump stated when speaking to the country's top military leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico. "Don't laugh. Unsure if you're permitted to do that." He tried to elicit some amusement, an old entertainment technique to energize a unresponsive audience. "Listen up, Just enjoy yourselves."

His syllogism clearly demonstrated his psychology of victimhood and approach of revenge. Should you do not show deference to him, he is deeply offended. The failure to admire him deserves to be punished. Any disrespect of his majesty dooms you to ruin.

Armed Forces Professionalism vs. Partisan Expectations

The speaker fails to understand that the silence of the commanders during his unprecedented speech to them showcased their highest responsibility. Their discipline showed fidelity to maintain their oath to the nation's founding document. Through their calm they represented themselves as examples for the remainder of the military leadership and the service members.

They aren't devoted to Trump or any cult of personality, but to his legal position.

They were being used as a backdrop for a political rally, but they were unwilling to serving as political players.

Basic Lack of Comprehension

His inability to comprehend their steadfastness in the presence of his provocations revealed his lack of understanding not only of the armed forces but the executive office under the legal system. When he became offended at their stoney silence his rebuke made clear that he saw them merely as his pawns.

The president had arrived on an urgent mission for them to execute. His purpose to inform the armed forces leadership they were to be his obedient instruments for the most significant change of military strategy since the "war on terror" – a new war to be waged against his perceived domestic rivals at home in violation of the federal law of 1878, which prohibits the internal use of the US military as a law enforcement agency.

Context and Presidential Measures

Every senior military leaders had been gathered for the unprecedented gathering at the Marine Corps Base Quantico on the directive of the defense chief. They had no idea for what momentous purpose they were being summoned. They dared not theorize that they were being brought to be a captive audience for a self-referential ego-driven presentation attempting to restore his image and assert his power.

But the military leaders could have gotten more than a hint that they were being rounded up for the latest episode of political theater by reading the executive order Labeling an activist movement as a terror group, an "organization" that does not exist. Subsequent actions included a security directive citing various events as justifications: "These incidents is not a collection of isolated incidents and doesn't originate naturally.

Ideological Basis

Per the directive, a new "national strategy" would be implemented against an ideology of "opposition to America, opposition to capitalism, and anti-Christianity; advocacy of the removal of the United States Government; radical views on immigration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold conservative values on family, religion, and ethics."

These vapors were not a portrayal of an ideology so much as a hodgepodge of political catchphrases. If there were ideology expressed it was an undeveloped fascism based on a repressive impulse that conjured up an universal enemy called "the opposition".

Defense Secretary's Presentation

The dramatic display at Quantico started with the military leader moving rapidly on the stage. He was a motivational speaker as a drill sergeant with a publication to promote – and a opening performance for the headliner.

The former national guard major said he had been "considered an radical"; he was identified as a possible "insider threat" by fellow officers. Despite numerous reports of his alcoholism, he told media in an conversation: "I have never had a drinking problem," but then reportedly assured a legislator that he would "not touch alcohol while I have this role."

Procedural Modifications and Controversial Statements

While serving as media personality, the defense secretary had been a prominent supporter for forgiving or showing mercy to military personnel accused or convicted of war crimes. He described them as "warriors" rather than "war criminals".

Now, in his address, he announced he was removing "unnecessary elements". He promoted loosening rules aimed at stopping forbidden force within the military. He declared the "restructuring" of the inspector general and informant complaint process, which would undermine safeguards and shield violent or reckless offenders from accountability.

He would, he said, impose discriminatory measures of "unisex" or "masculine standard" fitness requirements for fighting positions, stating: "If that means no women qualify for some military positions, so be it."

Confrontational Rhetoric and Military Reaction

The defense secretary strutted in front of the military leaders, barking obscenities – "Fafo", or vulgar expression. "No more heritage observances, DEI offices, cross-dressing individuals. No more climate change worship. Stop division, diversion or identity issues. Remove debris. As I stated before and will say again, we are finished with that shit."

The military leaders sat without reaction at his crude language that could be considered under the military legal system as a infraction against indecent language that "neglects to the prejudice of good order and military standards".

Appearance Standards and Personal Comments

Per the speaker, it was the out-of-shape commanders who needed to work out like him. "It's totally unacceptable to see overweight generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the globe. It's a bad look," he said. "No more facial hair."

Final Observations and Governmental Background

Not once did the defense secretary mention "Russia" or "Ukraine". He made not the smallest mention to Russia's huge missile attacks striking Ukraine, Russian unmanned aircraft over European nations, the strained relations over US uncertainty within the international coalition, or express anything that might be construed as a military consideration.

Following his menacing speech, the defense secretary made way for Donald Trump. Trump showed his usual disrespect for the armed forces by provoking them with an array of partisan insults to which they remained rigidly motionless.

During the course of his rambling remarks, he introduced his new mission for the military against the "enemy from within", with large American urban areas as the "preparation areas … the ones that are governed by the radical-left Democrats … And this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room. This represents conflict, too. It's a war from within." Silence.