On Chicago’s Morning Answer, Dan Proft spoke with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tony Shaffer, president of Project Sentinel and the London Center for Policy Research, about Donald Trump’s recent address at Quantico and the future direction of U.S. defense policy.
A New “Department of War”
The event at Quantico featured remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and former President Trump. Hegseth framed the Pentagon’s new mission as singular: preparing for and winning wars. Shaffer said this was meant to reset the mindset of military leadership, shifting away from what he described as a culture of politics and identity, and back toward warfighting readiness.
Domestic Security and Quick Reaction Forces
Trump’s focus, however, included not just foreign adversaries but domestic unrest. He touted his executive order to train quick reaction forces to respond to civil disturbances, casting violent crime and radical groups as “enemies from within.” Shaffer explained that this reflects a broader view of security—connecting cartel activity, fentanyl trafficking, and foreign influence from China and Latin America to instability in U.S. cities. He likened it to a modern restatement of the Monroe Doctrine, with a focus on both hemispheric threats and urban crime.
Concerns About Readiness
Proft pressed Shaffer on whether deploying troops domestically might dilute military readiness abroad. Shaffer acknowledged the challenge but argued that years of poor acquisition policies, like the cost overruns of the F-35 program, have already undermined U.S. lethality. He said reforms are needed to prioritize effective, affordable systems and rapid adoption of battlefield technologies. He also agreed with critics that the U.S. risks being unprepared for peer conflict in places like the Taiwan Strait without more investment in ships, submarines, and missile systems.
Cleaning House at the Pentagon
According to Shaffer, the Quantico event also signaled an internal purge. Senior leaders aligned with what he described as “woke” policies were effectively offered the chance to resign. He estimated that 70% of the brass are supportive of the new direction, while about 30% may resist or try to wait out the administration. Shaffer said the Pentagon must “reharden” its leadership to restore credibility and focus.
The Path Ahead
Shaffer concluded that the U.S. military faces twin challenges: reasserting global strength while addressing domestic instability. He argued that only by reforming procurement, rebuilding trust in leadership, and focusing on threats both foreign and domestic can the armed forces regain the ability to deter adversaries and protect Americans.