What is the reaction of the US #Military to #Trump‘s speech to them?
Trump and War Secretary Pete #Hegseth addressed hundreds of senior officers, with Trump floating the controversial idea of using U.S. cities as “training grounds” to combat an “enemy within”.Military leadership reacted to former President Trump’s September 30, 2025, speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico with silence and a subdued demeanor, in line with the military’s tradition of remaining apolitical
Key reactions and points from the event:
Silence from the audience: Despite Trump’s remarks—which were met with boisterous applause at his rallies—the generals and admirals in attendance largely remained silent. Some news outlets reported that senior leaders had been cautioned beforehand not to cheer or react to partisan comments. Trump himself noted the unusually quiet atmosphere, joking that he’d never walked into such a silent room.
Jokes about punishment: After observing the lack of reaction, Trump encouraged the officers to “feel nice and loose”. He added that they could leave if they disliked his speech, but warned it would cost them their rank and future.
Controversial proposals: Trump’s speech focused on using the military, including the National Guard, to quell crime and civil unrest in Democratic-led cities, referring to the situation as a “war from within”. This sparked concern among critics regarding the long-standing civil-military norms and the possibility of legal challenges under the Posse Comitatus Act.
Criticism from outside the room: Retired military officials expressed concerns about Hegseth and Trump’s comments.One retired brigadier general called the meeting an “insult” and a “tremendous waste of time and resources”.
Another retired Army lieutenant general called Trump’s mention of using troops against an “enemy within” a violation of military principles, stating, “Soldiers are training to protect American citizens from foreign adversaries,” not from citizens themselves.Political messaging: The event was widely viewed as highly political, with Trump and Hegseth using the platform to advance culture war grievances. Hegseth introduced new directives targeting diversity initiatives and tightening standards, including a new “gender-neutral” or “male-level” physical standard for combat roles. Hegseth also criticized “fat generals,” a comment retired officials found insulting.
Cost and necessity of the meeting: Critics questioned the necessity and cost of flying hundreds of top military leaders from around the world for a meeting that coincided with a government shutdown. Some called it a “loyalty test”.
While the military’s top brass maintained their composure in line with professional norms, the event created a significant rift between the administration’s political agenda and traditional civil-military relations.
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Month: October 2025
What is the reaction of the US Military to Trump’s speech to them? – Google Search google.com/search?q=What+is+…
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#Trust in #media at new low: A new #Gallup poll finds that only 28% of U.S. adults have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in the mass media, the lowest level recorded.
Main News Now – Google Search google.com/search?q=Main+New…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025
How do people get their #news?
As of 2025, a majority of people in the United States and other countries get their news from #digital devices, especially #socialmedia, video platforms, and news websites. Traditional sources like television and print are still used, but their influence has declined, especially among younger audiences who prefer social media and online influencers.
Digital news
Digital devices are the most common way Americans get their news, with 86% using a smartphone, computer, or tablet at least sometimes.
Social media
Social media surpasses TV: In the U.S., social media and video networks overtook TV news and news websites as the main source of news for the first time in 2025. This trend is also rising in many other countries.
Top platforms: Facebook and YouTube are the leading social media platforms for news, with about a third of U.S. adults regularly getting news from each.
Fastest-growing: TikTok has seen a significant increase in news consumption. In 2025, about one in five Americans regularly get news from TikTok, and more than half of its users do so regularly.
Dominant for young adults: A significant portion of younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 29, get news primarily from social media.
This is how people in 2025 are getting their news
Jul 14, 2025 — Social media use for news is rising across many countries, although this is more pronounced in the United States, L…
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Apr 15, 2025 — Understanding the New Media Reality: Key Trends for Communicators in 2025. Featured Insights, GSG Reports April 15,
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Global Strategy GroupNews websites and search
News websites or apps: In the U.S., about a fifth of adults (21%) say they prefer to get their news from news websites or apps.
Search engines: Around 10% of U.S. adults prefer to get their news through search engines.
News influencers
About 20% of U.S. adults regularly get news from social media influencers.
Younger adults (ages 18 to 29) are especially likely to turn to influencers for news, with 37% relying on them.
Traditional news
Television: A majority of U.S. adults (64%) get news from television at least sometimes, with 32% doing so often. However, this is more common among those aged 50 and older.
Radio and print: Far fewer Americans turn to radio or print publications for news. In 2025, only 11% reported getting news often from radio and 7% from print.
Other sources
Podcasts: About 6% of U.S. adults prefer to get their news from podcasts.
Email newsletters: Around 3% of U.S. adults prefer to get news from email newsletters.
Friends and family: Many people also get local news from their social circle, though the sharing is increasingly happening on social media rather than just by word-of-mouth.
share.google/aimode/skpXUznF…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025
Trust in #Media at New Low of 28% in U.S. news.gallup.com/poll/695762/….
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025
#FBI
Mass exodus: Hundreds of FBI agents and staff were fired or left their positions as part of a government worker buyout program – GSHowever, other FBI personnel have been fired without clear reason, raising concerns about due process. Sources confirm that hundreds of FBI employees and agents were separated from the bureau on September 30, 2025, with some leaving voluntarily through a government-wide deferred resignation buyout program
Key details about the FBI employee exits:
Voluntary resignations: A “deferred resignation” program, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), offered federal employees a buyout of roughly eight months’ salary and benefits. Employees who accepted the offer could remain on the federal payroll until their last day of service on September 30, 2025.
CBS News reported that 800 FBI employees, including several hundred agents, were leaving the bureau due to this program.
Accepting the buyout required employees to waive their right to legal action.Forced firings: Separately, some senior FBI agents and officials were reportedly ordered to resign, retire, or were fired without explanation, causing concern among veterans of the bureau. This includes some who oversaw key areas like cyber, national security, and criminal investigations.
An association representing FBI agents expressed deep concern about these firings, stating they were done without due process for agents they said were just “doing their jobs”.Political context: These personnel changes occurred amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal government. This included the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, offering buyouts to the entire federal workforce.
Rehiring efforts: Some federal agencies have begun rehiring workers who left through the buyout program, in some cases telling them that if they decline, they will forfeit severance.
The combination of voluntary buyouts and involuntary terminations has raised concerns about a loss of institutional knowledge at the FBI and other federal agencies.
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What the FBI’s mass exodus means for the bureau’s future
youtube.com/watch?v=7iHngr3B…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025
Mass exodus: Hundreds of FBI agents and staff were fired or left their positions as part of a government worker buyout program – Google Search google.com/search?q=Mass+exo…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025
What the FBI’s mass exodus means for the bureau’s future – CBS News cbsnews.com/video/what-the-f…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025
Ukraine-Russia war live: Europe sends billions in frozen Russian assets to Kyiv as Moscow threatens response | The Independent independent.co.uk/news/world…
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(7) ТОП 5 НЕНАСЫТНЫХ Поэтов – Классиков ! Любились ВТРОЕМ ! ШОКИРОВАЛИ даже Прожженных Ночных Бабочек ! – YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=M0AB2n8z…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Oct 2, 2025