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Not a single authoritarian leader or aspiring dictator has ever assembled the entire senior military leadership of their armed forces in a single location to belittle them as incompetent and embarrass them for their slovenly grooming standards, while degrading entire groups serving in the military branches as lesser and undeserving.

Donald Trump is used to entering gatherings with energetic crowds cheering to music. "I have never walked into a room so quiet before," he remarked when addressing the country's top military commanders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico. "Don't laugh. Don't know if you're allowed to do that." He was attempting to force some amusement, an old performance technique to rouse a dead audience. "Listen up, Just have a good time."

His syllogism clearly demonstrated his mindset of feeling victimized and politics of retribution. Should you do not bend the knee to him, he is deeply offended. Your failure to worship him must be penalized. Any disrespect of his majesty dooms you to destruction.

Armed Forces Discipline vs. Political Demands

The speaker fails to understand that the quiet demeanor of the commanders during his extraordinary address to them showcased their highest responsibility. Their composure showed loyalty to uphold their pledge to the nation's founding document. Through their calm they represented themselves as models for the rest of the military leadership and the troops.

They are not loyal to any individual or any cult of personality, but to his legal role.

They were being used as a backdrop for a campaign-like rally, but they were unwilling to serving as partisan participants.

Fundamental Misunderstanding

Trump's inability to comprehend their steadfastness in the face of his challenges revealed his lack of understanding not only of the military but the presidency under the legal system. When he became offended at their stoney silence his criticism made clear that he saw them merely as his tools.

The president had arrived on an pressing mission for them to carry out. He was there to tell the armed forces leadership they were to be his obedient agents for the greatest change of military strategy since the "war on terror" – a new war to be waged against his perceived political opponents at home in contravention of the federal law of 1878, which forbids the domestic use of the US military as a police force.

Background and Executive Actions

Every high-ranking generals had been assembled for the unprecedented gathering at the Marine Corps Base Quantico on the order of the defense chief. They had no idea for what momentous occasion they were being called. They wouldn't speculate that they were being brought to be a captured audience for a self-focused ego-driven presentation attempting to rehabilitate his image and assert his power.

But the commanders could have gotten more than a hint that they were being rounded up for the most recent episode of political drama by reviewing the presidential directive Labeling Antifa as a terror group, an "entity" that does not exist. This was followed included a National Security Presidential Memorandum citing various events as justifications: "These incidents is not a series of isolated incidents and does not emerge naturally.

Ideological Basis

Per the directive, a new "government approach" would be implemented against an belief system of "anti-Americanism, opposition to capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the federal government; radical views on immigration, race, and sex; and opposition towards those who hold conservative values on family, faith, and ethics."

These concepts were not a portrayal of an philosophy so much as a mixture of partisan catchphrases. If there were belief system expressed it was an inchoate authoritarianism based on a repressive impulse that created an universal enemy called "the opposition".

Defense Secretary's Presentation

The dramatic presentation at Quantico started with the military leader darting back and forth on the stage. He was a inspirational presenter as a drill sergeant with a book to hawk – and a opening performance for the main speaker.

The former national guard officer said he had been "deemed an radical"; he was flagged as a possible "security risk" by fellow officers. Regardless of numerous accounts of his alcoholism, he informed media in an conversation: "I have never had a drinking problem," but then reportedly promised a senator that he would "not touch alcohol while I have this position."

Policy Modifications and Controversial Remarks

While serving as television personality, the speaker had been a leading advocate for pardoning or granting clemency to military personnel charged or convicted of military offenses. He characterized them as "warriors" rather than "war criminals".

Currently, in his speech, he declared he was clearing away "unnecessary elements". He promoted loosening rules aimed at stopping prohibited violence within the military. He declared the "overhauling" of the inspector general and informant complaint process, which would undermine safeguards and protect aggressive or careless offenders from responsibility.

He planned to, he said, impose discriminatory measures of "gender-neutral" or "male level" physical standards for combat roles, stating: "Should it result that no women meet standards for some combat jobs, so be it."

Confrontational Rhetoric and Service Response

The defense secretary swaggered in front of the commanders, barking vulgar language – "Fafo", or vulgar expression. "No more identity months, diversity initiatives, dudes in dresses. End climate change worship. Stop separation, distraction or identity issues. No more unnecessary elements. As I stated before and repeat again, we are finished with that nonsense."

The military leaders sat expressionless at his vulgarity that could be charged under the military legal system as a infraction against improper speech that "fails to the detriment of proper conduct and military standards".

Appearance Requirements and Individual Observations

Per the speaker, it was the flabby generals who required to work out following his example. "It's completely improper to see overweight military leaders in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world. It appears unprofessional," he said. "No more facial hair."

Final Observations and Political Context

Not once did the speaker mention "Russia" or "the Ukrainian nation". He made not the slightest mention to the Russian massive missile attacks striking Ukraine, Russian unmanned aircraft over European nations, the strained relations over US uncertainty within the western alliance, or utter anything that might be construed as a strategic thought.

Following his menacing address, the speaker made way for the president. The president displayed his customary contempt for the military by provoking them with an series of partisan barbs to which they remained completely unresponsive.

In the middle of his rambling remarks, he introduced his new mission for the military against the "enemy from within", with major American urban areas as the "training grounds … the ones that are run by the radical-left Democrats … And this is going to be a major role for some of the people in this room. That's a war, too. It's a war from within." No response.