Lieutenant General says Donald Trump broke unwritten military rule in speech to armed forces leaders

Donald Trump apparently broke a pretty big military rule in his speech to leaders of the armed forces.

In case you missed it, the president made a bit of a blunder this week while speaking to military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

Trump praised the National Guard for their efforts so-far in taking on Washington, D.C., and Chicago, in his vision to crack down on crime, the homeless and immigration.

He also made some wild statements in his speech, including suggesting the US is at war 'from within' and that the country is '25 years ahead' of Russia and China in nuclear submarines.

Trump also made a joke about there being 'two N words' that can't be said, one of which he was referring to as 'nuclear'.

As perhaps expected, Trump's claims were met such stony silence, so much so that even the POTUS couldn't help but comment on the awkwardness.

Trump appeared to 'scold' the military in his speech (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

"I've never walked into a room so silent before," he said.

To add insult to injury, a former US Army official claims Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth broke an unwritten rule in military discipline.

Speaking on MSNBC, retired Major General William Enyart slammed Trump's choice of words.

"The words that Donald Trump used, 'enemy from within', well that's Hitler-esque," he explained. "That is right out of Nazi Germany. That is not constitutional speech."

Former Lieutenant General Mark Hertling also appeared on the show and accused Trump and Hegseth of breaking an unwritten rule in military discipline.

Hegseth managed to peeve everyone off for his call to end 'woke' cultural and political practices in the force - like 'fat troops' and long hair and beards - while his comments of female personnel also proved controversial.

The official said military personnel likely felt 'embarrassed' by the ordeal since hundreds of troops were summoned to the base without warning or any indication what for.

Hegseth also took aim at the military for what he claims is its 'woke' touch (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"You know, there's a saying in the military that's a great leadership dictum: ‘You praise in public and you discipline in private,'" he said.

"This was a disciplinary approach in public with cameras, so the whole nation could see. And it was an attempt at separating the military institution from the people that they defend.”

During his public scolding of personnel, Hegseth said: "The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don't-hurt-anyone's-feelings leadership ends right now at every level.

"No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction or gender delusions."

Hegseth stressed enhanced fitness routines for recruits, adding: "If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it."

The veteran then suggested some officers might feel compelled to disobey the Secretary's demands, stating soldiers across all ranks realized 'this is a true violation of what we are as professionals.'

"Or, hey, I've got women in my ranks who are performing admirably," Hertling continued. "Why should I kind of lump them all together like the secretary did? Or I'm certainly now going to debate with myself, what am I going to say if I'm asked to go on the street and conduct illegal actions?

"And I guarantee you that the people in that audience will not execute illegal orders."