Trump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
President Donald Trump announced late Friday that U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown was stepping down, and he would nominate Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as a replacement.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform, without clarifying whether Brown had resigned or was fired.
The Chairman is the highest-ranking military officer in the country, advising both the President and the Secretary of Defense on national security matters.
Brown, only the second Black general to serve as chairman, had spent 16 months in the role, dealing with key issues such as the war in Ukraine and the expanding conflict in the Middle East. His term was originally set to expire in 2027 after being nominated by then-President Joe Biden in 2023.
Brown was visiting troops at the U.S. southern border on Friday when the announcement was made.
Rumors had been circulating that Trump would remove Brown, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously indicated in a November podcast interview that he believed Brown should be fired. Hegseth has been a vocal critic of diversity initiatives in the military and has vowed to “course correct” under the Trump administration.
Hegseth announced this week that the Pentagon would cut its budget and lay off 5,400 probationary employees. Trump also directed him to seek nominations for five additional high-level military positions, with announcements expected soon.
Trump has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman. Caine, a career F-16 pilot, has served on active duty and in the National Guard. Most recently, he worked as the associate director for military affairs at the CIA. His military experience includes combat roles in Iraq, special operations assignments, and work on highly classified Pentagon programs. However, he does not meet all the standard requirements for the position, which would require a presidential waiver in the interest of national security.
In addition to Brown’s dismissal, Defense Secretary Hegseth announced that Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Jim Slife were also being removed from their positions.
Brown had spent Friday at the U.S.-Mexico border, assessing the military’s rapid buildup in response to Trump’s executive order aimed at countering illegal immigration.
Despite prior meetings with Trump and support from key members of Congress, Brown’s position had been in jeopardy since Hegseth’s Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing. When asked if he would fire Brown, Hegseth responded, “Every single senior officer will be reviewed based on meritocracy, standards, lethality, and commitment to lawful orders they will be given.”
Hegseth has strongly supported Trump’s initiative to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from the military. He previously questioned Brown’s appointment in one of his books, suggesting it may have been influenced by race rather than merit.
When Hegseth took office as defense secretary in January, he initially seemed to back Brown, patting him on the back and stating, “Look forward to working with him.” However, the support was short-lived as Brown’s dismissal followed just weeks later.
Trump has asserted his executive authority more aggressively in his second term, replacing nearly all officials from President Joe Biden’s administration, even in positions that traditionally remain independent across transitions.
Brown gained national attention before his confirmation as Air Force chief in 2020 when he spoke out on the police killing of George Floyd. He acknowledged the risks of speaking on the matter but felt compelled to do so after discussing it with his family.
His departure marks a significant shift in U.S. military leadership, signaling Trump’s intent to reshape the Pentagon with figures who align closely with his administration’s priorities.
