During an address to hundreds of military leaders assembled from across the world, President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants to use American cities as “training grounds” for the military.
His comments come after Trump has deployed or ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon for a crackdown on crime and to support immigration enforcement.
Trump’s statement also came a day after Gov. Mike Kehoe authorized the Missouri National Guard to assist with administrative, clerical and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities within the state.
Speaking to the generals, Trump described “civil disturbances’ as the “enemy from within,” adding that the situation “won’t get out of control” once the National Guard is involved.
During the same address, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, declared an end to “woke” culture at the Pentagon and announced new ‘male-level,” physical fitness standards for military officials.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has accused Trump of using military troops and ICE to “invade and disrupt” U.S. cities. In a recent X post, Pritzker wrote, “Our troops and our nation deserve better than you acting as a petty tyrant.”