US President Donald Trump has fired General Charles CQ Brown, the country’s highest-ranking military officer, in a sweeping leadership overhaul. He announced the decision on social media, thanking Brown for his four decades of service. Additionally, he confirmed that five other senior officers would also be replaced.

More Military Leaders Dismissed

Later, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed two more top officers—Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Jim Slife. Notably, Franchetti was the first woman to lead the US Navy. Since Biden had appointed all three officers, their removal signals a significant shift in military leadership.

Related News

Hegseth justified the decision, stating, “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.”

Focus on “Woke” Policies

Previously, Hegseth had criticized Brown for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the military. Trump also expressed similar concerns, frequently accusing top military leaders of being “woke.”

In 2022, Brown co-signed a memo that aimed to increase diversity in officer recruitment while adjusting the proportion of white applicants. However, his stance drew backlash, especially after he posted a viral video in 2020 discussing the struggles he faced as one of the few black officers in his unit following George Floyd’s death.

Trump Nominates New Chairman

Moving swiftly, Trump nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine, a decorated F-16 pilot and former CIA associate director for military affairs, has earned Trump’s admiration. Reflecting on their first meeting in Iraq, Trump remarked, “He looked better than any movie actor you could get.”

Budget Cuts and Legal Hurdles

Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced plans to cut its budget and lay off 5,400 probationary employees next week. At the same time, Trump faced a legal setback as a federal court in Maryland temporarily blocked his attempt to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

District Judge Adam Abelson ruled that Trump’s directives might violate free speech rights under the US Constitution. Despite these legal challenges, Trump continues to push for military reforms, emphasizing a shift toward traditional defense strategies.