Adm. Lisa Franchetti Removed as Chief of Naval Operations in Military Leadership Shakeup
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the removal of Adm. Lisa Franchetti as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on February 21, 2025, marking an early end to her tenure as the first woman to serve as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Franchetti, who assumed the role in November 2023 after being nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate, was relieved of her duties as part of a broader shakeup in military leadership under the Trump administration.
The decision to replace Franchetti was reportedly influenced by her association with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration has sought to curtail. Franchetti’s firing followed the removal of Gen. CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other high-ranking officers, including Gen. James Slife, the Air Force’s Vice Chief of Staff.
During her tenure, Franchetti spearheaded key modernization efforts, including the acceleration of unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and information dominance capabilities to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific. She also introduced a new “Robotic Warfare” general rating to enhance the Navy’s expertise in autonomous systems.
Adm. James Kilby, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, will temporarily assume the duties of CNO until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed. Franchetti’s removal underscores the administration’s focus on reshaping military leadership to align with its priorities, emphasizing a shift away from policies deemed “woke” by Trump and his supporters.
Franchetti’s career included numerous high-profile assignments, such as serving as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, commanding the U.S. 6th Fleet, and leading Carrier Strike Groups. Her historic appointment as the first female CNO was seen as a milestone for gender representation in the military. In a previous interview, Franchetti expressed hope that her achievements would inspire others, stating, “If you can see it, you can be it.”
The Pentagon has yet to announce a nominee to fill the vacant CNO position.
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