WASHINGTON —

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have announced significant changes to U.S. military standards , aiming to end "politically correct" leadership by imposing tougher, gender-neutral combat standards and eliminating diversity rules.

"We're bringing back a focus on fitness ability, character, and strength," Trump said. "And that's because the purpose of America's military is not to protect anyone's feelings. It's to protect our Republic."

In a highly unusual move, hundreds of generals and admirals were abruptly summoned to Virginia, where Hegseth vowed to scrap diversity rules and set "male-standard" combat requirements. "I don't want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape or in combat unit with females who can't meet the same combat arm

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