Records Request Includes Any Assessment of the Risks Being Created by Administration’s Directive

Washington, D.C. — Democracy Forward Foundation today filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request demanding records from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) about the extraordinary and nearly unprecedented meeting of hundreds of the nation’s top generals and admirals reportedly scheduled for the week of September 29, 2025.

News reports have revealed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will convene a rare, urgent gathering of nearly all active four-star and three-star officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, without stating any clear purpose.

The FOIA request seeks a number of records dated July 1, 2025, and after, including communications sent to generals and admirals directing them to attend the meeting, and any agendas or materials prepared for the event. It also seeks security assessments regarding the gathering of senior military leaders, including analyses of both the risks of having nearly all military leadership concentrated in a single location, as well as the risks resulting from simultaneous withdrawal of nearly all leadership from their stations. The request also seeks records regarding any planned pledges of loyalty or directives to be issued during the meeting. 

“In recent weeks, President Trump has developed a pattern of using respected members of the military as decoration for his antics, and has improperly deployed the military in our nation’s cities. He has done this without the authorization of Congress and against the wishes of governors and city leaders. Against this backdrop, Americans of all backgrounds are concerned about the President’s transparency and the misuse of the nation’s military here at home. The American people have a right to know what their government is doing and our team is taking action,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward.

Read the request here.

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.