The Daily Beast Podcast
Episode: Trump Hid Sinister Message in Speech to Generals
Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Hugh Doherty (sitting in for Joanna Coles)
Guest: Lieutenant General Mark Hertling (Ret.)
Episode Overview
This episode examines and dissects Donald Trump’s “extraordinary” address to over 800 generals and admirals at Quantico, Virginia. With expert analysis from retired Lt. General Mark Hertling, the conversation explores not only the historical oddity of such an event, but also the alarming content and implications of Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth’s remarks, particularly the suggestion that the military might be trained or even used in “dangerous” American cities—possibly as a domestic police force. The discussion covers military culture, the critical line between policing and warfare, legal and constitutional boundaries, and the chilling resonance such rhetoric has abroad.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Quantico Event: An Unprecedented Spectacle
[04:56]
- Two Segments: Secretary Pete Hegseth opened with a scolding, combative lecture, followed by Trump’s characteristically meandering, grievance-laden speech.
- Attendee Reactions: Many senior military leaders, including experienced sergeant majors and chiefs, were “quietly professional” and largely unmoved.
- General Hertling’s Take:
- Hegseth’s address was “berating” and “embarrassing” for military professionals.
- Trump’s lack of audience response—no applause or laughter—stood in stark contrast to his rallies.
“You could tell by just the facial expressions that this was a session to discipline people ... which tarnished the reputation of not only those in the room, but I think the reputation of all of our military.”
— General Mark Hertling [05:26]
2. A Return to “Old Bad Days” of Military Training
[08:11 – 11:01]
- Hegseth called for bringing back harsh, quasi-abusive drill sergeant methods (“shark attacks”), framing it as “not bullying,” but sounded otherwise.
- General Hertling, former Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training, refuted this as outdated and counterproductive:
“No, absolutely not. That's what used to be done in the old days. And what I add to that is the old bad days... I'll take ours any day and twice on Sunday.”
— General Mark Hertling [09:04]
- He drew direct contrasts with Russian military practices, highlighting that hazing and abuse degrade, rather than strengthen, military forces.
3. Trump’s Address: Atmosphere and Historical Precedent
[11:01 – 14:56]
- The event was highly unusual—a President publicly addressing so many top-ranking officers at once.
- The military audience’s silence signaled “quiet professionalism, not disrespect,” and appeared to rattle Trump.
“That silence wasn't disrespect. It was restraint and a professional adherence to standards and the oath of office to not be political.”
— General Mark Hertling [12:20]
- Previous experiences show military protocol dictates stoic, disciplined non-partisanship even in face of provocative or political addresses.
4. The Sinister Proposal: Using Troops in “Dangerous Cities”
[16:00 – 18:31]
- Trump proposed using American cities as military training grounds, implicitly suggesting military could be used in a domestic policing capacity.
- Hertling warned:
- U.S. soldiers are not trained for policing (except for military police).
- Such a move would be both unconstitutional and illegal—“contrary to the Constitution and contrary to our laws. So it shouldn't be done.”
- The only historical precedent: deployment for insurrection or civil war.
“What I heard the President say yesterday was an implied remark... be prepared to do that. And that only happens once an insurrection occurs, like during the Civil War.”
— General Mark Hertling [16:41]
5. The Legality of Orders and Risks Under Current Administration
[18:31 – 25:21]
- Generals must now contemplate how to refuse illegal orders in an environment where the Supreme Court recently ruled the President immune from criminal charges, but military officers are not.
“How do you say no? ... if the staff judge advocate, the lawyer chain of command has been disrupted... it was obvious to me in Secretary Hegseth's speech that he also is all for doing whatever the President orders him to do. And that breaks the boundaries...”
— General Mark Hertling [18:50 & 19:49]
- Past defense secretaries have successfully resisted illegal orders; doubts abound whether current appointees would do the same.
6. Trump’s “1950s Battleship” Military Nostalgia
[25:21 – 29:49]
- Trump referenced a 1950s documentary as his model for the military and praised generals like Patton and MacArthur over modern leaders.
- Hertling lampooned this “barstool expertise” and noted how such simplistic nostalgia is out of touch with the complexities and diversity of modern armed services.
“You all of that came through, and it comes through in spades with President Trump talking about battleships being the great surface fleet ... any Navy guy will explain to you why that's not such a good idea today.”
— General Mark Hertling [27:50]
7. Global Perspective: Allies and Adversaries React
[29:49 – 32:04]
- Allies in Europe are bewildered and concerned; questions arise about the steady leadership of U.S. forces and the wisdom of domestic focus.
- The Kremlin is, in Hertling’s view, “loving this”—seeing it as confirmation that Russian divisive propaganda is working, amplifying U.S. disarray.
“[Allies] said to me, I don't understand why this is happening, given how much respect we have for the capabilities of the U.S. military ... [while Russia’s] strategy of the continued attempt to help divide the people ... is working pretty well.”
— General Mark Hertling [29:49 & 31:00]
8. Strategic Implications: A Shift from Global to Domestic
[34:17 – 37:42]
- European allies are beginning to strategize independently (e.g., a new “drone wall”), reflecting decreased trust in U.S. leadership.
- Reports suggest forthcoming U.S. defense policy could focus inward, deprioritizing traditional threats like Russia, to the further alarm of both allies and military professionals.
- Hertling emphasizes that real national security threats—enumerated annually by the Director of National Intelligence—are broader and more complex than this insular reorientation recognizes.
9. Closing Reassurance: The Strength of Military Professionalism
[37:42 – 39:32]
- Hugh Doherty asks for a note of hope: can military professionalism weather this moment?
- Hertling is optimistic, citing the display of “collective professionalism” in the room during Trump’s address:
“The hope I will give them, Hugh, is that yesterday's atmospheric showed it was a collective reminder of the professional culture of the military that transcends population politics... our military institution is bending a bit because of some civilian leaders, but it's not breaking.”
— General Mark Hertling [38:21]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“President Trump thrives on applause and cheering... what he received ... was quiet professionalism ... that rattled him a little bit.”
— General Hertling [12:10] -
“No, absolutely not. That's what used to be done in the old days. And what I add to that is the old bad days.”
— General Hertling on abusive initial training [09:04] -
“It was a session to discipline people ... in front of the world on TV cameras. So it tarnished the reputation...”
— General Hertling [05:26] -
“The military does have ... a mission called support for civilian authorities ... But breaking that, that razor's edge into policing activities again is contrary to the Constitution and contrary to our laws."
— General Hertling [16:41] -
“Our military institution is bending a bit because of some civilian leaders, but it's not breaking.”
— General Hertling [38:21]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [04:56] — Hertling describes Hegseth’s berating address
- [08:11] — Discussion about old vs. new military training
- [11:01] — Why Trump’s address broke historical precedent
- [12:10 – 14:56] — The silent but disciplined reaction of generals
- [16:00] — Dissecting Trump’s proposal on “dangerous cities”
- [18:31] — Legal perils for military leaders under dubious orders
- [25:21] — Trump romanticizes 1950s battleship era; Hertling responds
- [29:49] — Allied and adversary reactions: Europe and Russia
- [34:17] — Europe plans for independent defense; implications
- [37:42] — A note of hope and resilience
- [38:21] — “Bending but not breaking”—professional military culture endures
Tone & Style
- The conversation is frank, analytical, sometimes darkly humorous, but driven by deep respect for institutional norms and alarm at their undermining.
- General Hertling employs military directness, mixed with a willingness to challenge nostalgia and simplistic views.
- Hugh Doherty provides context, pushes for clarity, and gives space for expert reflection.
This summary provides a comprehensive exploration of the urgent concerns raised by Trump’s address to America’s military leadership and the potential constitutional, strategic, and cultural ramifications—with a final note of hope in the enduring professionalism of U.S. armed forces.