Trump Speaks to Military Leaders at Quantico

Hundreds of the nation’s military leaders wearing full-dress uniforms sat respectfully during speeches by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump. The unprecedented gathering—scheduled last Thursday—brought around 800 leaders with a one-star or higher ranking to Quantico yesterday.

Hegseth addressed DEI and military standards. He warned the officers that they must improve their physical conditioning. “It’s unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon, and leading all around the world,” he said.

The president spoke for more than an hour, covering topics ranging from the deployment of nuclear weapons to naval ship design. He told the officers that they would soon be ordered to deploy troops in American cities.

“We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military, National Guard, but our military, because we’re going into Chicago very soon,” Trump said. “This is going to be a big thing for the people in this room, because it’s the enemy from within.“

“If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room,” Trump said near the start of his speech. “Of course, there goes your rank and your future. You just feel nice and loose, okay, because we’re all on the same team.“

Looming Federal Shutdown

Lawmakers had not passed a budget before the federal fiscal year ended at midnight. As of press time, they had also failed to enact a temporary spending agreement, known as a Continuing Resolution, which would mean the federal government would shut down.

The impact of a shutdown would be felt heavily in Virginia, where 147,000 federal employees work and live, with many commuting to D.C.

Federal employees typically receive back pay when a shutdown ends. This time, however, President Trump said he will use the shutdown as an opportunity to permanently terminate many federal employees.

A shutdown wouldn’t change entitlement payments. “People’s Social Security checks will continue to come,” Virginia Tech political science professor Karen Hult said. “So will Medicare payments. Medicaid payments will continue for a while as well.“

Patrick County Man Shoots at Deputies

A man was detained in Patrick County after a shootout with sheriff’s deputies.

Officers responded to a call on Monday that a man was assaulting his elderly father. When deputies arrived, the suspect threatened an elderly woman and then barricaded himself in the residence.

The father had left the home before the authorities arrived.

The suspect—who has not been identified publicly—opened fire, and deputies fired back after determining there wasn’t anyone else in the home.

No deputies were wounded in the exchange. The Virginia State Police will investigate the incident.

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➤ Hampton Roads: A local news station explored potential reasons why no recorded Category 3 or higher storm has yet made landfall in Virginia Beach despite feeling the impact of storms that have come close. (Details)

➤ Wytheville: The Claytor Lake Regional Drug Task Force, a team of officers from three local forces and the Virginia and West Virginia State Police, made an arrest earlier this month and seized methamphetamines, fentanyl, firearms, and more than $15,000 in cash. Its investigation is ongoing. (More)

➤ Statewide: More than 140,000 people voted during the first week of early balloting, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. That’s more than double the number of votes cast in the 2021 governor’s election campaign. (More)

➤ Loudoun County: Authorities charged Patrick Daniel Murphy, 68, with threatening to kill state Del. Geary Higgins. Murphy allegedly texted, “I will shoot u @ yer next public rally. Then send you memes with the photos,” to the Republican delegate in August. (Details)

➤ Williamsburg: The College of William & Mary Law School launched a Center for Energy Law & Policy to spotlight issues around electricity regulation, usage, and generation. (More)

➤ Blacksburg: The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors signed off on a new budget that includes an additional $229 million investment in athletics across the next four years. (Details)

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➤ James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick was Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week after a three-sack performance against Georgia Southern. Teammate Curtis Harris-Lopez was named Special Teams Player of the Week following his kick return for a touchdown in the second quarter. (Details)

➤ Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn announced that edge rusher Javontae Jean-Baptiste suffered a pectoral injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the year. (More)

➤ George Mason women’s basketball placed three players—Zahirah Walton, Kennedy Harris, and Hawa Komara—on the A-10 Conference first and second teams. (Details)

Yesterday’s Results: WNBA | MLB | NHL | Soccer

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➤ The Virginia Permit Transparency system captured the 2025 Commonwealth Technology Award for Innovative Use of Technology. “When permits move quickly, businesses can grow and professionals can succeed,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Marine Advisory Program is accepting applications for the Virginia Fishery Resource Grant Program, which helps commercial fishers improve and protect the Commonwealth’s marine fisheries. (More)

➤ Area 2 Farms, an Arlington-based company, unveiled a proposal to convert empty office buildings into vertical farms. (Details)

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➤ As Philadelphia Phillies fans head to playoff games this month, they’ll see ads inviting them to visit the Commonwealth. The Virginia Tourism Corp. is running ads all over the Pennsylvania city as part of its “Philly Takeover.” (Details)

➤ Several bird species within Virginia—including the black rail, Wilson’s plover, Bachman’s sparrow, and saltmarsh sparrow—are at “perilously low populations” according to the 2025 State of the Birds Report for the United States. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech’s Agricultural Technology program is preparing a new generation of students for jobs in agriculture and livestock production. (Details)

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