In a significant restructuring of US military leadership, President Donald Trump has dismissed General Charles “CQ” Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with several other senior military officers.
Announcing the decision on social media, Trump praised Gen Brown’s service, saying, “I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
Gen Brown, the second Black officer in US history to hold this prestigious position, was appointed by former President Joe Biden and was set to serve until 2027.
Senior Officers Removed
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the removal of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Jim Slife. Admiral Franchetti was notably the first woman to lead the US Navy.
Hegseth stated, “Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting, and winning wars.”
Following Brown’s dismissal, Trump announced his intention to nominate Air Force Lt Gen Dan Caine as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Targeting Diversity Programs
This reshuffle aligns with the Trump administration’s broader effort to overhaul the Pentagon’s leadership and priorities. Trump has criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the military, claiming they distract from national security objectives.
One of his first actions was to dismiss the Coast Guard’s first female commandant, citing her “excessive focus” on diversity initiatives.
Legal Challenges
Meanwhile, a federal court in Maryland has temporarily blocked Trump’s attempts to dismantle DEI programs, ruling that such actions could violate free speech rights under the US Constitution.
Judge Adam Abelson stated that these directives were “problematic” and might face further legal challenges.
Gen Brown, who gained attention in 2020 for addressing racial issues in the military after George Floyd’s killing, marks another casualty of Trump’s effort to reshape US military leadership.
