On Friday, President Donald Trump fired Air Force General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and five other admirals and generals.
The unprecedented Trump Pentagon shake-up. In a Truth Social post, Trump named retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor—a rare move pulling someone from retirement. The overhaul also ousts Navy Chief Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Air Force vice chief, and the judge advocates general for three branches.
Trump’s decision disrupts the Pentagon, which already expects civilian staff cuts and a budget overhaul under his America First policy. Historically, uniformed leaders stay apolitical, serving across administrations. Brown, the second Black Joint Chiefs chair, was set to serve until 2027 but was relieved immediately. Trump thanked Brown for his 40-year career but offered no firing rationale. Critics link it to his campaign against “woke” generals and the 2021 Afghanistan exit.
Democrats slammed the Trump Pentagon shake-up. Senator Jack Reed warned it undermines military trust, saying, “Firing leaders for diversity or loyalty tests harms professionalism.” Representative Seth Moulton called it “un-American” and a dangerous politicization of the armed forces. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, sceptical of Brown’s appointment, pushes to cut diversity initiatives—a stance echoed in his 2024 book questioning Brown’s rise.
The shake-up signals broader changes. Military deployments may shift, and women leaders like Franchetti—the first female Navy chief—and ex-Coast Guard head Linda Fagan are out. Trump’s team also revoked Mark Milley’s security perks, targeting past critics. As Brown met troops at the Mexico border hours before his firing, the Pentagon braces for a turbulent transition.
