No agenda, no attenda
That was my motto about meetings when I was a professor and associate dean. A leader respects the time of their colleagues. Not so for Pete Hegseth.
“Nothing good is likely coming out of this,” said one Democratic political scientist on Thursday regarding reports that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called a meeting of hundreds of top military general and admirals in Quantico, Virginia next Tuesday.
“The highly unusual summit was announced on short notice and no reason was given to military commanders and other leaders stationed in conflict zones, across Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region who are being required to leave their posts for the meeting.”
All this does is fuel rumors.
“The Intercept reported that military sources it spoke to “speculated about the purpose, wondering if it might foretell a culling of general officers; a significant reorganization of the military command structure; a threat to eschew contact with the press; or a loyalty oath about putting Trump administration priorities above all else.”
“One source, somewhat in jest, evoked the phrase ‘coup d’état,’ later clarifying they meant a gutting of leaders who might question Trump’s policies,” reported the outlet.
“Some other officials familiar with the matter told the Post that they believed the Trump administration’s desire to make “homeland defense the nation’s top concern,” rather than China, was likely to be discussed at the meeting.
“The order also came a day after the Office of Management and Budget threatened a new round of mass firings at federal agencies unless Democrats in Congress agree to a funding bill to keep the government running before the October 1 deadline.
“This is either a meeting that could have been an email,” said Matt Gertz of Media Matters for America, “or something ominous.”
Regardless, it’s disrespectful.
Hegseth is jerking around the military brass
“Nothing good is likely coming out of this,” said one Democratic political scientist on Thursday regarding reports that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called a meeting of hundreds of top military general and admirals in Quantico, Virginia next Tuesday.
“The highly unusual summit was announced on short notice and no reason was given to military commanders and other leaders stationed in conflict zones, across Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region who are being required to leave their posts for the meeting.”
All this does is fuel rumors.
“The Intercept reported that military sources it spoke to “speculated about the purpose, wondering if it might foretell a culling of general officers; a significant reorganization of the military command structure; a threat to eschew contact with the press; or a loyalty oath about putting Trump administration priorities above all else.”
“One source, somewhat in jest, evoked the phrase ‘coup d’état,’ later clarifying they meant a gutting of leaders who might question Trump’s policies,” reported the outlet.
“Some other officials familiar with the matter told the Post that they believed the Trump administration’s desire to make “homeland defense the nation’s top concern,” rather than China, was likely to be discussed at the meeting.
“The order also came a day after the Office of Management and Budget threatened a new round of mass firings at federal agencies unless Democrats in Congress agree to a funding bill to keep the government running before the October 1 deadline.
“This is either a meeting that could have been an email,” said Matt Gertz of Media Matters for America, “or something ominous.”
Regardless, it’s disrespectful.
Hegseth is jerking around the military brass
Seven Days in May.
Joel:
As if these guys have time to fly in (a day in some cases), spend time with a fool, and then go back to their duty stations (another day) and catch up on what has occurred. One plus being . . . if the family is with them? Maybe they can spend an extra day and get some Christmas shopping done or pick up some food. Both of which the iemes found in the US may not be found overseas.
Surely, Petie may cut them some slack? It does not make sense to drag all of the to the US at one time. No mass slaughters planned for so many.
@Bill,
If the government shuts down, will they be able to fly back?
Joel:
Probably military flights. But then too, maybe Trump will use this as a ploy to stop shutting the nation down. However, there are always a second in command. Good comment.