The chaos at the Pentagon, explained

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025, in Quantico, Virginia. | Andrew Harnik/Getty Images When Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summoned around 800 top military officers to Quantico, Virginia, this week, there was widespread speculation about mass firings, new geopolitical priorities, even a declaration of war. None of that happened. Instead, President Donald Trump showed up to deliver many of his usual boasts and grievances to a largely subdued group of service members. But Trump then pivoted to somethin