Post Reports Why Hegseth ordering generals to meet is so unusual
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Sep 29, 2025 
Dan Lamothe, Pentagon reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the unprecedented meeting of top U.S. generals called by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He reveals how the gathering unfolded shortly after significant military firings and Hegseth's controversial plans to eliminate DEI initiatives. The conversation highlights logistical challenges, the role of President Trump at the event, and the implications for military culture and officer careers amidst a tense political climate. Lamothe provides insights into the complex interplay of national security and optics at play.
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DEI Role In Leadership Purges
- Officials tied firings to past comments supporting diversity and inclusion, which the administration views as misaligned with lethality.
- Leaders who emphasized women and minorities in senior roles have been targeted regardless of past performance.
How Generals Travel To Meetings
- Generals often travel on military aircraft with staff and communications suites to remain connected.
- Some fly on small jets, others ride in cargo planes, and trips can take a day depending on location.
Who Was Ordered To Attend
- The order applied to brigadier generals and up in command positions, plus their senior enlisted advisors.
- The attendee pool likely numbered in the hundreds and included paired senior enlisted leaders.