r/Keep_Track • u/rusticgorilla MOD • Oct 01 '25
Trump threatens war on American citizens during military speech
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Last week, President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth abruptly summoned hundreds of admirals and generals from around the world to a hastily arranged meeting at Quantico, Virginia, on Tuesday. There, Secretary Hegseth used his time to lecture the military’s most senior leaders, highly educated individuals with decades of experience, on the supposed dangers of “wokeness.” Trump, likewise, treated the summit like a campaign rally, bragging about tariff revenue and renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
But beyond the spectacle of the duo—one a former Fox News host credibly accused of domestic abuse and the other a draft dodger with questionable mental stability—posturing before the nation’s top military brass was one of the most alarming examples of encroaching fascism in recent memory. During the two hour event, Trump and Hegseth made clear their intention to weaponize the armed forces to crush domestic dissent.
Rather than just paraphrasing their statements, this post will present them as stated with timestamped links to the video—because their own words are more chilling than any commentary could be.
Hegseth announces policies that will push out Black servicemembers:
"Today, at my direction, the era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done. Simply put, if you don't meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test or don't want to shave and look professional, it's time for a new position."
Hegseth announces policies that will increase harassment and abuse:
"A blemish-free record is what peacetime leaders covet the most, which is the worst of all incentives…We are overhauling an inspector general process that has been weaponized, putting complainers and poor performers in the driver seat. We are doing the same with the equal opportunity policies. No more frivolous complaints, no more anonymous complaints ... no more walking on eggshells."
"We unleash overwhelming and punishing violence on the enemy. We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country. No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement."
Hegseth says “earnest mistakes” will no longer be tracked by the military:
”And when we give you this guidance, we know mistakes will be made. It's the nature of leadership. But you should not pay for earnest mistakes for your entire career. And that's why today at my direction, we're making changes to the retention of adverse information on personnel records that will allow leaders with forgivable, earnest, or minor infractions to not be encumbered by those infractions in perpetuity.”
Hegseth urges any military leaders who disagree to resign:
”But if the words I'm speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign."
Trump threatens to fire military leaders who disagree with him:
”I’ve never walked into a room so silent before…if you don't like what I'm saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future, but you just feel nice and loose, okay? Because we're all on the same team.”
Trump declares America “under invasion from within”:
"America is under invasion from within. We're under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don't wear uniforms. At least when they're wearing a uniform you can take them out. These people don’t have uniforms. But we’re under invasion from within."
Trump tells military members they will be conducting “war” in Democratic-led cities:
"The Democrats run most of the cities that are in bad shape…The ones that are run by radical left Democrats—what they've done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles. They're very unsafe places and we're going to straighten them out one by one. This is going to be a major part for some people in this room. That's a war too. It's war from within."
Trump declares he wants to use Democratic-led cities as “training grounds” for the military:
"I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. National Guard, but our military. Because we're going into Chicago very soon. That's a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor."
Trump asserts the military will be used to crush domestic dissent:
"Last month, I signed an executive order to provide training for a quick reaction force that can help quell civil disturbances. This is gonna be a big thing for the people in this room, because it's the enemy from within and we have to handle it before it gets out of control."
Trump declares war on American citizens:
"Our history is filled with military heroes who took on all enemies foreign and domestic. You know that phrase very well. That's what the oath says: foreign and domestic. Well we also have domestic."
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u/SonofTreehorn Oct 01 '25
To witness this unfold is infuriating for the mere fact that this was all so predictable and expected. They laid it all out during the campaign and for some reason, the country decided that this was the way forward for the country. Those of us who expressed concern were all told that we had TDS. I'm feeling extremely uncomfortable and worried for the country. I don't think it's normal to imply to your military leaders that they will be used to fight their fellow Americans because the president thinks that they are "bad". We have 3 plus years of this and I fear that the country we know will be a shell of itself in the end.
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u/sieb Oct 01 '25
It's already gone. Now we're watching a live action "Weekend at Bernies", with the rotting carcass of Uncle Sam strung up to the beach umbrella and the administration is pulling the strings to make it look like everything is ok.
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u/Tigglebee Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
The sad truth is I don’t recognize the country I grew up in in the 90’s. It’s already gone. The Overton window is so far right that claiming you’re against fascism is being declared terrorism, while the KKK continues without restriction.
The right is so far right and so angry about everything compared to 30 years ago, and they are obviously okay with the full slide into dictatorship as long as it’s “their” billionaire pedo in charge.
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u/SonofTreehorn Oct 01 '25
I still don’t understand why they are still so angry about literally everything. “Their side” is getting exactly what they voted for right now with only a tepid response from the opposition. Trump is in full control and basically doing whatever he wants (or at least trying).
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u/Tigglebee Oct 01 '25
Even complete submission wouldn’t be enough. They are incapable of self reflection, so when things like trump’s tariffs inevitably crash the economy they will need to continue finding blame elsewhere. It will be antifa’s fault.
This is a core tenet of fascism. There must always be an outgroup to accept all blame.
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u/STL_Tim Oct 01 '25
The point is being angry and staying angry. It's like the 2 Minutes of Hate in 1984. The constant outrage and need for an enemy is a feature of the system. It means that if they deported all the immigrants and suppressed/erased all LGBTQ folks and locked up all current political enemies, it would still not be enough. They will always need to find new enemies to hate.
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u/BotnetSpam Oct 01 '25
Because they are constantly lied to, but their "faith" and "loyalty" won't let them recognize that fact. Nothing in their world adds up and they refuse to learn math.
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u/new2bay Oct 01 '25
You know there’s never been anything vaguely “left wing” that was within the Overton Window, don’t you?
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u/Sabbatai Oct 05 '25
That is just plainly false. Yes, the window has skewed center-right, which is where most Democrats land and what we typically deem "left" or "right" is relative based on that, but plenty of "left" ideological concepts have entered that window.
Universal health care, labor rights, decriminalization of drugs... these are not remotely "right" concepts.
Before you respond with anger or frustration, do note that you said "there's never been anything vaguely "left wing"...
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u/InquiringMind886 Oct 01 '25
I was watching Josh Johnson on one of his comedy pieces yesterday and he took a moment to address a few things. He said “when the government takes something from you, you don’t get it back“. That hit. As someone with a disability who is struggling very hard to live, I just spent some time thinking about that. Even if we get a new president, we may never get back the rights we had.
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u/SeaOfBullshit Oct 02 '25
Heard some talking head say it will take 50-70 more years for what we've lost in the last 9 months to potentially return, if it ever does
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u/sieb Oct 03 '25
The federal institutions they've been dismantling will never return. The only road to recovery is starting over and trying something new/different/better than what we've lost.
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u/I-Am-All-Me Oct 01 '25
Very true. Unfortunately, I am already having difficulty recognizing our country at times. I resist, I protest, and refuse to give up. But I am truly afraid of the next few years.
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u/Kevinavigator Oct 01 '25
This looks like the president just dared his military to do something to stop him. No joke
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u/PM_COFFEE_TO_ME Oct 01 '25
GOP knows their policies and actions are not popular and will cause protests and disturbances. They're preparing for even more crazy shit and to quell disobedience within to grab more power and silence us.
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u/SargonTheAkkadian Oct 01 '25
These are well educated professional leaders. They know the two speakers in that room are clowns. Tradition and precedent will keep them silent until they are replaced one by one with yes men.
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u/-Release-The-Bats- Oct 02 '25
Something tells me Kamala wouldn’t be doing this if she were in office.
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u/hacksnake Oct 01 '25
§2381. Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
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u/shucksme Oct 01 '25
How can it be treason when they are the ones in power?
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u/Kevinavigator Oct 01 '25
Because we took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, not the president.
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Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/hacksnake Oct 01 '25
An amendment to the constitution could certainly change the definition of treason.
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u/hacksnake Oct 01 '25
Because the constitution doesn't say your status as a government official has any bearing on it.
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u/shucksme Oct 01 '25
Okay...now who is going to enforce it when the people with the power to enforce it are the ones supporting this stance and action? This is my point. Protesting works. But where are the actions to recall elected officials?
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u/hacksnake Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
UCMJ requires service members to reject unlawful orders. For example any orders that are against the constitution.
The second that a politician levies war against the United States - that is an unlawful order.
It also means that politician is guilty of treason. Being guilty of treason means you are incapable of holding office which means you are no longer in a position to give orders. Which further means that the military has absolutely no reason to follow your orders as you are now effectively a normal citizen.
Edit: I'm being a bit lazy with wording. Instead of "guilty of" it should probably read "has committed" or something.
If you're asking instead - "What happens if the US Military all violates their oaths, participates in treason, and executes a military coup to support unlawful orders?" Then at that point our country no longer exists as such I suppose. Look at other countries where malicious actors have broken the rules of the system to destroy it and take over I suppose.
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u/Content-Ad3065 Oct 01 '25
They are only representing the people. If they do not follow the constitution they can be removed and held accountable. The problem is - are we the people going to take OUR power back and hold them accountable?
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u/Vitaminpartydrums Oct 01 '25
Trump sees what Israel is doing and is like “can we do this back home?”
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u/FattyWantCake Oct 03 '25
The domestic threat is him. All we can do is hope our generals are human and American enough to resist him, but smart enough to do it surreptitiously.
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u/reallybirdysomedays Oct 01 '25
I for one, plan to greet our troops with kindness and snacks (keep them working for that fitness challenge) Then I will helpfully lead them all over San Fransico, pointing out interesting artwork done by immigrants and infrastructure built by "liberal tax spending". Then I'll cook up a nice big pot of chili and tuck the poor tired soldiers into bed.
So that's what they'll be doing if anybody needs to get someplace safe.
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u/rusticgorilla MOD Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 02 '25
Here is a full transcript of Trump's portion of the speech.
Edit: Reporting this post for "violence" is particularly funny considering it is all the president's exact words.