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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Can you imagine the disdain?' Ex-GOP insider says Pete Hegseth setting stage for a 'coup'
By David McAfee
Published September 27, 2025 5:30 PM ET
As U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders military brass from all around the world to meet with him for unstated reasons, he may be facing a form of military uprising, according to an independent political strategist who worked on former President George W. Bush's campaign.
Political strategist Steve Schmidt on Saturday published an article called Questions for the generals, in which he argues that Hegseth is setting the stage for a potential "coup."
"Of course, the mind cannot help but drift towards the nefarious when the stupidity overwhelms every conceivable explanation for why the entire senior leadership of the US military would be ordered to depart their commands, and assemble at a precise geographic point at a precise time," he wrote. "Were the scenario the basis for a movie depicting the beginning of a coup it would be dismissed as too far-fetched because nothing so absurd could ever be allowed to happen in real life not to mention the cost, waste of taxpayer money and massive logistics involved. Yet, here we are."
https://www.rawstory.com/hegseth-coup-schmidt/
Hey Ernst............., as Schmidt said " the mind cannot help but drift towards the nefarious when the stupidity overwhelms every conceivable explanation for why the entire senior leadership of the US military would be ordered to depart their commands, and assemble at a precise geographic point at a precise time," he wrote. "Were the scenario the basis for a movie depicting the beginning of a coup it would be dismissed as too far-fetched because nothing so absurd could ever be allowed to happen in real life not to mention the cost, waste of taxpayer money and massive logistics involved. Yet, here we are."
So Ernst do you still get that warm fuzzy feeling that you helped put this ass**** in this position...........when you both were in combat did all of the higher ups meet in one spot..............your vote for this disgrace is a disgrace just like you are............

bucolic_frolic
(52,482 posts)A coup against Hegseth? Or a seizure of power? I kind of thought it was a test of loyalty, to take the temperature in the room.
turbinetree
(26,591 posts)he has already demoted some qualified people ..............
usonian
(20,841 posts)Being female.
And by the way.
haele
(14,633 posts)Especially since most of them are dealing with an uncertain NDAA, and potential government shutdown.
Hegseth just made them take anywhere from $3k to $20k out of the command budget to pay for the travel, which could be the difference between someone in the command traveling later on during the year or not, potentially deferring critical maintenance or training.
A good number of them are probably paying for this on their own credit cards, and hope they might be able to get reimbursed before Christmas.
Ya, they aren't happy at all. And if all this is going to be is a get together pep talk, they'll be even more unhappy.
ancianita
(41,996 posts)Wiz Imp
(7,501 posts)They'd have to pay their own way home.
usonian
(20,841 posts)WhiteTara
(31,071 posts)If I were really going to , I'd say that Whiskey Pete may try to have them assassinated, & then #PEDOnald would use that as an excuse for martial law.
Alice B.
(635 posts)... of the world for a 30 minute in-person meeting. Because he can.
And a stupid ego trip makes total sense to me.
dweller
(27,186 posts)I wish a couple of dozen of them would just throw down and beat his ass
just for the morale boost .
✌🏻
mopinko
(72,990 posts)im hoping they gang up on him and stuff him in a locker. pretty sure more than a few of them dont want to invade portland. or chicago.
The Blue Flower
(6,185 posts)Virtually everything he does is to flex his power and prove his strength. He's threatened by smart, competent women and needs to crack the whip over the generals. Just because he can.
SheltieLover
(73,902 posts)
Callie1979
(933 posts)"Tough guy" speech, lots of threats, lots of bluster and a lot of wasted money
SheltieLover
(73,902 posts)
On edit: intended as reply to #9.
KS Toronado
(21,369 posts)But I never hear where this "coup" is going to take place, couldn't be here because that would mean
dumpie, somewhere in South America?
usonian
(20,841 posts)I would not go near that place.
littlemissmartypants
(29,886 posts)Expensive photo op.
AverageOldGuy
(2,995 posts)But I keep thinking its about some kind of pledging allegiance to Trump.
montanacowboy
(6,602 posts)just sayin
Doodley
(11,423 posts)leadership.
Jack Valentino
(3,369 posts)if the Russians wanted to start that nuclear war.......
so the very idea of having such a meeting is an extreme danger to our national security---
but when you put a drunk in charge of the DOD, you can expect such instances to happen
Deuxcents
(24,164 posts)And make it public information?
soldierant
(8,961 posts)It was to order them to renounce their oaths to the Weimar Republic (Constitution) and take new oaths to Hitler.
LudwigPastorius
(13,477 posts)Those who aren't loyal to Trump over the Constitution will be purged.
QED
(3,189 posts)He had a big assembly like this and had his generals pledge allegiance. Those that couldn't/wouldn't were lead away and ended up dead. When Little Peter tries this, it's time for an "I am Spartacus" moment.
Bread and Circuses
(1,184 posts)That refuse to pay bribes. Hence the military .
DBoon
(24,310 posts)