Trump says US cities should be military training grounds

The US president warned military leaders of a "war from within", and signals they will be tasked with intervening.

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In an unusual address to hundreds of military leaders assembled from across the world, Trump described "civil disturbances" as the "enemy from within". He added that the situation "won't get out of control once you're involved".

It comes after Trump deployed National Guard troops to Washington DC, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, in a crackdown on crime and to support immigration enforcement.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke, declaring an end to "woke" culture at the Pentagon and announcing new "male-level", physical fitness standards for military officials.

The president repeated his criticism of Democratic-led cities including San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles and indicated he would continue his policy of using military for law enforcement.