Democrats Tammy Duckworth from Illinois and Mazie Hirono from Hawaii are pushing for transparency regarding an upcoming meeting they’re set to hold with military leaders on Tuesday.
The meeting, as first reported by the Washington Post, will involve hundreds of generals and admirals from various locations worldwide. President Trump stated in an interview with NBC News that he will be attending the gathering at Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.
As members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth and Hirono expressed in a letter that the meeting raises serious concerns about security, costs, and operational impacts. They emphasized that the gathering could jeopardize both the personal safety of attendees and the national security of the United States.
The focus of the meeting, as reported, seems to be about fostering a particular mindset among military leaders, referred to as the “warrior’s mindset,” which has been pushed by Pentagon advocate Hegseth.
In the letter, the senators criticized the meeting’s timing and costs, questioning the need for such a concentrated gathering when it might not be necessary. They are seeking details on logistical aspects, like flight times for military aircraft and the number of tickets or hotel rooms booked, along with the costs associated with heightened security measures at the base.
Additionally, they wonder why virtual meetings weren’t considered and if the Pentagon has taken into account intelligence and national security implications when bringing together so many operational commanders in one place.
The meeting has reportedly caused confusion among military officials, particularly given that there was no declared crisis prompting it and the lack of information from the Pentagon. The letter also requests Hegseth clarify what makes this gathering urgent and whether the President had any prior involvement in its planning.
Duckworth and Hirono expressed their concerns over the potential prioritization of political interests over fundamental security issues in their correspondence.
A response or briefing from the Pentagon is expected by Monday.
