From Rep. Suhas Subramanyam’s office:
Ranking Members Subramanyam, Garcia Demand Answers from Secretary Pete Hegseth on Military Leadership Mystery Gathering at Quantico, Virginia
Washington DC – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversights Subcommittee, and Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia (CA-42) sent a letter to Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding accountability regarding reports that he has ordered hundreds of generals and admirals in the U.S. Armed Forces leave their posts and gather in Quantico, Virginia, for what has been reported to be a short speech from Secretary Hegseth. It was reported earlier today that President Trump will also attend this gathering, adding additional cost and security concerns.
The representatives argued that the unprecedented concentration of military leadership in one location is both a national security threat and waste of potentially millions of dollars of taxpayer resources to conduct what could be a virtual meeting or pre-recorded video message. They also raised concerns of politicization of the military and the potential use of senior military officers as political props.
“This unprecedented concentration of military leadership in one location, at one time, raises grave concerns about national security, waste of taxpayer resources, and the politicization of our military institutions,” the members said. “In light of these concerns, we demand that the administration justify its decision to pursue what we believe to be a dangerous and wasteful stunt.”
The members asked for immediate answers back to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability by no later than October 14, 2025 concerning:
- The costs associated with this meeting, including travel, lodging, base operations, security and communications.
- A detailed assessment of the operational risks and mitigation plans associated with withdrawing senior commanders and staff from active command responsibilities, as well as concentrating them in one location.
- A formal statement of immediate and long-term objectives for the meeting.
- A detailed assessment of alternative means for this speech (such as secure video teleconference or pre-recorded video message) and the rationale for choosing an in‑person event over these more secure and cost-effective options.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
