Trump Removes Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Brown in Major Military Shake-Up
In a significant overhaul of U.S. military leadership, President Donald Trump has dismissed General Charles “CQ” Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with several other top-ranking officers.
Trump announced the decision on social media, acknowledging Gen. Brown’s service:
“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
Gen. Brown, the second Black officer in U.S. history to hold the prestigious position, was appointed by former President Joe Biden and was set to serve until 2027.
Read More: Pentagon Denies US Involvement in Israel Operation That Killed Sinwar
As the highest-ranking military officer, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the principal advisor to the president and the secretary of defense.
Senior Officers Removed
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the removal of two other senior officers—Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Jim Slife.
Adm. Franchetti was notably the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy.
Hegseth, who had previously criticized Gen. Brown’s focus on diversity and inclusion, 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, a career F-16 pilot and former CIA associate director for military affairs, as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Targeting Diversity Programs
The military reshuffle is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to overhaul Pentagon leadership and priorities. Since returning to office last month, Trump has criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the military, calling them a distraction from national security.
One of Trump’s first executive actions was the removal of the first female commandant of the Coast Guard, citing an excessive focus on diversity initiatives.
Hegseth, in a podcast interview before taking office, suggested that the administration needed to “course correct” military priorities.
Additionally, the Pentagon announced on Friday that it would be cutting its budget and laying off 5,400 probationary employees next week.
Legal Challenges
A federal court in Maryland has temporarily blocked Trump’s attempts to dismantle DEI programs, ruling that such actions likely violate free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson stated that the directives were “problematic” and could face further legal challenges in the coming weeks.
Gen. Brown, who was visiting troops at the U.S. southern border when the announcement was made, gained national attention in 2020 for speaking openly about racial challenges in the military following the killing of George Floyd.
His departure marks another shift in the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape U.S. military leadership.
