WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump unexpectedly dismissed Air Force General CQ Brown Jr. from his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday. This decision notably affects a groundbreaking fighter pilot and highly regarded military officer, as part of a strategy led by the defense secretary aimed at removing military leaders who advocate for diversity and equity within the armed forces.
Brown, who was only the second African American to hold the chairman position, leaves behind a tenure marked by significant events like the war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East, spanning 16 months. Trump took to social media to express his gratitude: “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. He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family.”
The general’s outspoken support for the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd had made him a target as part of the administration’s agenda against what they deem “wokeism” in the military ranks. His firing marks yet another major shift within the Pentagon as the department prepares to cut approximately 5,400 civilian probationary roles in the coming week and is focused on identifying $50 billion worth of programs that may face cuts next year to reallocate those funds towards Trump’s objectives.
In response to Brown’s departure, Trump announced his intention to nominate retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor. Caine has a distinguished background as an F-16 pilot in both active and National Guard roles and was previously working as the associate director for military affairs at the CIA, as indicated by his military biography.
His military credentials include combat assignments in Iraq, special operations tasks, and participation in classified Pentagon programs. Nonetheless, Caine has yet to fulfill the key prerequisites outlined by law for this role, such as having held positions like vice chairman, a combatant commander, or a service chief. However, these requirements can be waived if deemed necessary for national interests.
Additional reshuffling in the Pentagon followed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announcing the dismissals of two other high-ranking officials: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife. This marks the second instance of a top female military officer being removed under the Trump administration, following the dismissal of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
Adm. Franchetti, breaking multiple barriers as a female leader within the Navy, previously commanded various units including U.S. 6th Fleet. With a robust command history, she was among the first women to achieve the rank of four-star admiral. Gen. Slife, prior to his appointment as vice chief of staff, oversaw Air Force Special Operations Command and has extensive deployment experience in both the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Slife expressed his disappointment in a statement regarding the firings, acknowledging the need for military leaders who are trusted by the president and who can maintain credibility among elected officials. Trump is asserting his executive power more definitively in his second term, dismissing various Biden administration officials, despite many of these roles being traditionally expected to transition smoothly between administrations.
The chairman position was created in 1949 to serve as an advisor to the president and the defense secretary, streamlining communication from the various service chiefs. Though the role does not possess direct command authority, it plays a vital part in military strategy.
Despite the support Brown received from certain congressional members and a prior cordial meeting with Trump at the Army-Navy football game, the firing seems to be in line with deliberations that had circulated on Capitol Hill regarding potential dismissals.
Senator Roger Wicker, the GOP chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his gratitude towards Brown for his dedicated service, refraining from mentioning Caine’s name in his statement. He conveyed confidence in Trump and Hegseth’s ability to select a capable successor.
Democratic leaders in Congress criticized the dismissals as overt political maneuvers aimed at weaponizing the military. “A professional and nonpartisan military is essential to our democracy’s survival,” stated Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, emphasizing the need for the military to remain accountable to civilian government.
Brown had previously faced scrutiny regarding his position during Hegseth’s confirmation hearing last month, with Hegseth openly expressing intentions to review all senior officers based on their adherence to meritocracy and standards. His past comments suggesting Brown’s appointment may have stemmed from race raised further controversy.
On his first day at the Pentagon, Hegseth was seen showing support for Brown, indicating a willingness to collaborate moving forward. Brown had recently brought attention to issues of race within the military, particularly after the events surrounding George Floyd’s death in 2020, which he addressed publicly despite potential fallout.
His ascension to chairman was not without obstacles, highlighted by delays in his nomination process due to Senate opposition. Nevertheless, he received confirmation with significant bipartisan support in September 2023. While Brown’s tenure may have ended, it marked a historical moment, being the first instance where both the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs chairman were African American, showcasing the ongoing conversation around diversity in the military ranks.
