The move comes as part of a broader strategy to realign military focus and personnel priorities, following Trump's previous criticisms on diversity initiatives in the military.
Trump Reshuffles Pentagon Leadership, Dismisses General CQ Brown
Trump Reshuffles Pentagon Leadership, Dismisses General CQ Brown
President Trump replaces Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown amid military leadership overhaul.
Trump has executed a significant shake-up in the Pentagon by firing General CQ Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest-ranking officer in the US military. In a social media announcement, Trump recognized Brown's 40 years of service while confirming that five other top military officers would also be replaced during this leadership transition.
General Brown was noted for being the second black officer to hold the esteemed position, which plays a critical role in advising the President and Secretary of Defense on national security matters. The decision to terminate his position aligns with comments from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who previously called for Brown's removal due to his perceived emphasis on "woke" diversity and inclusion efforts within the military.
On the same day, Hegseth also revealed the dismissal of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti—the first woman to lead the Navy—and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife. All three officers had been appointed by former President Joe Biden, marking a clear departure from the previous administration’s military leadership.
Trump has indicated his intention to nominate Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to replace General Brown. Caine is a seasoned pilot and has served recently as the CIA's associate director for military affairs. During a past address, Trump remarked on Caine’s impressive demeanor, likening him to a movie actor, and previously labeled the military as "woke at the top."
At the time of his firing, General Brown was visiting troops stationed at the southern US border, and upcoming rumors about his potential dismissal had circulated earlier in the week, despite his term being set to conclude in 2027. Brown gained visibility in 2020 for addressing issues of race amidst national protests ignited by George Floyd's death. He previously advocated for increased diversity within the ranks of the Air Force, which included significant policy changes that adjusted recruitment standards.
With the leadership changes, Trump aims to pivot military priorities back to fundamental objectives of deterrence and combat effectiveness. Concurrently, the Pentagon announced a budget reduction accompanied by the layoff of approximately 5,400 employees in probationary roles. In a juxtaposition to these policy changes, a federal court in Maryland has temporarily halted Trump's ability to impose bans on diversity initiatives, underscoring the legal challenges his administration faces in this area.
General Brown was noted for being the second black officer to hold the esteemed position, which plays a critical role in advising the President and Secretary of Defense on national security matters. The decision to terminate his position aligns with comments from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who previously called for Brown's removal due to his perceived emphasis on "woke" diversity and inclusion efforts within the military.
On the same day, Hegseth also revealed the dismissal of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti—the first woman to lead the Navy—and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife. All three officers had been appointed by former President Joe Biden, marking a clear departure from the previous administration’s military leadership.
Trump has indicated his intention to nominate Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to replace General Brown. Caine is a seasoned pilot and has served recently as the CIA's associate director for military affairs. During a past address, Trump remarked on Caine’s impressive demeanor, likening him to a movie actor, and previously labeled the military as "woke at the top."
At the time of his firing, General Brown was visiting troops stationed at the southern US border, and upcoming rumors about his potential dismissal had circulated earlier in the week, despite his term being set to conclude in 2027. Brown gained visibility in 2020 for addressing issues of race amidst national protests ignited by George Floyd's death. He previously advocated for increased diversity within the ranks of the Air Force, which included significant policy changes that adjusted recruitment standards.
With the leadership changes, Trump aims to pivot military priorities back to fundamental objectives of deterrence and combat effectiveness. Concurrently, the Pentagon announced a budget reduction accompanied by the layoff of approximately 5,400 employees in probationary roles. In a juxtaposition to these policy changes, a federal court in Maryland has temporarily halted Trump's ability to impose bans on diversity initiatives, underscoring the legal challenges his administration faces in this area.
