Washington, 24 February 2025 – President Donald Trump has dismissed Charles Q. Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the second Black officer to hold the position in U.S. history. In a rare move, Trump has nominated retired three-star General John D. Caine as his successor.
Following Trump’s decision, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also removed U.S. Navy Chief Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The shake-up is reportedly part of Trump’s anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) purge, a campaign promise aimed at removing what he calls “woke” military leadership.
More high-profile dismissals are expected in the coming days as Trump continues his push to reshape military leadership.
