Trump fires top U.S. military officers who campaigned for diversity

President Donald Trump has fired Air Force General CQ Brown Jr., the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a sweeping shake-up of military leadership that has sparked controversy over the administration’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Brown, who had been widely respected for his leadership and combat experience, was abruptly removed on Friday as part of a broader effort to purge top military officials who supported diversity initiatives within the armed forces.

The move follows remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, who had openly questioned whether Brown was appointed due to his race and previously called for the removal of military leaders involved in what he described as “DEI woke policies.”

“First of all, you’ve got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs,” Hegseth said in a November interview, adding that any general, admiral, or officer who supported DEI must be removed.

Brown’s dismissal is seen as a major turning point in Trump’s military strategy, signaling a shift towards a more hardline, combat-focused Pentagon leadership.

Shortly after Brown’s firing, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he would replace him with Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, a retired officer known for his special operations experience and direct involvement in the war on terror.

Caine, who is white, previously served as the associate director for military affairs at the CIA and played a critical role in the defense of Washington, D.C., during the 9/11 attacks. Trump has praised Caine for his “no-nonsense approach to warfare” and claimed that he was “passed over for promotion” during President Biden’s tenure.

“Many so-called military ‘geniuses’ said it would take years to defeat ISIS. General Caine, on the other hand, said it could be done quickly, and he delivered,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

However, Caine’s appointment has raised legal questions as he does not meet all statutory qualifications for the position under the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, which typically requires that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs have served as a combatant commander, vice-chair, or service chief. Trump, however, has the authority to waive this requirement in the national interest.

Brown’s removal is just the beginning of a larger military overhaul under Trump’s leadership. According to Defense Secretary Hegseth, the administration has also begun the process of removing additional high-ranking military officials, including:

1. Admiral Lisa Franchetti – Chief of Naval Operations
2. General James Slife – Air Force Vice Chief of Staff
3. Three Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) – The top military lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force

In his statement, Hegseth justified the moves, stating that the military must refocus on its core mission of deterrence, combat readiness, and winning wars, rather than social policies.

“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,” Hegseth said.

Trump’s critics argue that this mass firing could destabilize military leadership at a time when global conflicts, including rising tensions with China and Russia, require experienced strategic leadership.

Political and Military Reactions

Brown’s dismissal has been met with strong reactions from both political leaders and military experts. Supporters of Trump view the move as necessary to eliminate “woke ideology” from the military and refocus on combat preparedness. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and retired generals, argue that the decision undermines military professionalism and diversity efforts.

“Firing a highly decorated, battle-tested general based on political ideology is dangerous and irresponsible,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).

Military experts also warn that replacing senior officers with less experienced figures could weaken U.S. military readiness.

The Pentagon is now preparing for a broader leadership transition, with further firings and reassignments expected in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Democratic-led Senate is expected to scrutinize Caine’s appointment, with some lawmakers questioning whether Trump’s military shake-up is politically motivated.