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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endorsed on Monday replacing a small group of Texas National Guard troops deployed in Illinois after they failed to meet fitness standards, a move that followed social media mockery of a photo. The stance echoes remarks he made last month condemning “fat troops,” generals and admirals, and accompanies his new twice‑yearly fitness tests and new grooming standards. Separately, a judge blocked President Donald Trump’s Illinois Guard deployment for two weeks, as his efforts face legal hurdles in several cities but fewer in Washington, D.C.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.