In a surprising move, Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the sole female member of NATO’s military committee, was relieved of her duties over the weekend by the Trump administration. While specific reasons for Chatfield’s dismissal were not disclosed, it is believed to be linked to her outspoken support for diversity within the military ranks. U.S. officials indicated that Adm. Christopher Grady, acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, communicated the decision to Chatfield, mentioning the administration’s intent to shift the role’s direction.
The decision to remove Chatfield is thought to have been made last week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, although it’s unclear if President Donald Trump was directly involved. This move marks Chatfield as the third senior female officer to be relieved of their position since Trump’s presidency began. In February, Hegseth announced the removal of Adm. Lisa Franchetti, former chief of naval operations, and President Trump dismissed Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan shortly after taking office.
Trump and Hegseth have vocally criticized “woke” policies, leading to a concerted effort to replace military leaders who have supported diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as to eliminate DEI programs from military resources. Chatfield was among the senior officers labeled as “woke” by the conservative American Accountability Foundation, which advocated for a purge of such ideologies from the military in a letter to Hegseth.
Chatfield, a pioneer as a Navy helicopter pilot and a former commander of a joint reconstruction team in Afghanistan, served as one of 32 representatives on NATO’s military committee. This committee is a crucial advisor to the North Atlantic Council and NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, serving as an intermediary between political leaders and NATO’s military forces.
The removal of Chatfield sparked a reaction from Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, who expressed his disapproval, stating that Trump’s actions undermine national security by marginalizing alliances and veterans. He conveyed his concerns through a social media post, criticizing the reduction of DEI programs and the deletion of historical content related to military achievements from official Defense Department platforms.
The accountability foundation criticized Chatfield for her LinkedIn posts in support of a diversity summit and a 2015 Women’s Equality Day speech where she highlighted the importance of empowering women and diversity as vital strengths. These views were contrary to the views expressed by Hegseth, who has rebuffed similar sentiments.
Originally from Garden Grove, California, Chatfield is an alumna of Boston University, holding an advanced degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the University of San Diego. Her distinguished career includes deployments to the Pacific and Persian Gulf, a tenure as senior military assistant to the supreme allied commander Europe, and earning a Bronze Star for her service.