Nigeria: Trump suggests using US cities as military training grounds

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

US President Donald Trump has proposed using American cities as “training grounds” for the military, citing the need to crack down on crime and immigration. Trump made this suggestion during a speech at a military facility in Quantico, near Washington, where he addressed hundreds of generals and admirals.

Trump has already deployed troops to cities like Los Angeles, Washington, Memphis, and Portland, which he described as a “war zone.” He plans to send troops to Chicago next, all of which are cities run by Democratic mayors. Trump believes that using these cities as training grounds will help the military prepare for the challenges they face.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth also spoke at the event, warning of a different challenge facing the military. He vowed to eliminate “fat generals” and roll back what he called decades of decay. Hegseth emphasized the need for physical fitness and adherence to grooming standards, stating that generals and admirals must take a physical fitness test twice a year.

Trump has overseen a rare purge of senior officers since taking office. He has fired several top officers, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and reduced the number of general and flag officers in the US military. Hegseth defended the firings, saying it’s nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create it.

In his speech, Trump emphasized the need to reawaken the warrior spirit in the US military. He believes that the country faces a “war from within” and that the military needs to be prepared to tackle this challenge. Trump’s comments have sparked controversy, with many questioning the role of the military in domestic politics.