Trump Shakes Up Pentagon Leadership with Firing of Top Military Officials
President Donald Trump has fired Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant shakeup in the Pentagon’s leadership. The decision, announced on Friday, February 21, 2025, also included the termination of Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, and Gen. James Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Brown, a four-star fighter pilot and the second Black general to serve as chairman, had been in the role for 16 months, overseeing critical military operations in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The firings are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to overhaul the military’s leadership and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Trump has criticized these programs as distractions from the military’s core mission. In a statement, Trump thanked Brown for his 40 years of service, calling him “a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader,” while announcing the nomination of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor. Caine, a career F-16 pilot with experience in combat and special operations, has not held key roles typically required for the position, but Trump has indicated he will waive those requirements.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised both Brown and Caine, emphasizing the administration’s focus on reshaping military leadership to prioritize “lethality and commitment to lawful orders.” The Pentagon also plans to cut 5,400 civilian probationary workers and reallocate $50 billion from programs deemed unnecessary, including climate change initiatives, to fund Trump’s priorities such as border security and missile defense.
Brown’s tenure was marked by his public support for racial equity, including a 2020 video addressing the death of George Floyd, which drew criticism from some conservatives. His dismissal has sparked concern among lawmakers, with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) calling it a “dangerous message” about political loyalty. Despite bipartisan support for Brown during his confirmation, his removal underscores the administration’s push to realign military leadership with its policy goals.
Trump ousts top U.S. Gen. Charles CQ Brown and other leaders
They include Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife.
www.axios.com
SECNAV Nominee Phelan Critical of Frigate Program, Stresses Shipbuilding in Confirmation Hearing - USNI News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nominee to serve as the next top civilian in the Navy criticized the delayed Constellation-class frigate program and stressed t
news.usni.org
President Trump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two other military officers
President Donald Trump has fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and says he'll nominate Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Razin
www.wbaltv.com
CQ Brown: Trump fires top US general in Pentagon shake-up
The new Pentagon chief had accused CQ Brown of a woke focus on diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.
www.bbc.com
Trump fires Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown
Trump said he plans to nominate Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine of the U.S. Air Force to replace Gen. CQ Brown as the nation’s top-ranking military officer
www.nbcnews.comTrump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two other military officers
President Donald Trump has abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced
apnews.com
Trump shakes up Pentagon, firing top general, nominating retired three-star
Trump's decision sets off a period of upheaval at the Pentagon, which was already bracing for mass firings of civilian staff, a dramatic overhaul of i
www.deccanherald.com