Sources say Hegseth is expected to kick off the event at 8:15 a.m. On Sunday, the program was given an unexpected jolt when the White House announced Trump would join Hegseth at Quantico. The White House has not said when or how the president learned of Hegseth’s meeting or why he wanted to participate. According to a contingency plan posted by the Pentagon this weekend, all active-duty troops would be required to keep working. But according to government guidance, personnel must return home as soon as possible if a shutdown occurs while on work travel.