WASHINGTON, D.C. — Military Leaders: In an unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has dismissed both Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top admiral, marking the first time two senior members of the Joint Chiefs have been removed from their posts simultaneously.
Trump announced the decision Friday, nominating retired Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Caine, a decorated F-16 pilot with over 34 years of service, previously held senior roles at the Joint Special Operations Command and the CIA as Associate Director for Military Affairs. He now awaits Senate confirmation.
“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish him and his family the very best.”
Historic Removals of Military Leaders
Gen. Brown, who became Chairman in October 2023, was set to serve until September 2027. He was the second Black American to hold the role, while Adm. Franchetti made history as the first woman to serve as the Navy’s top admiral.
The chairman’s role is designed to be apolitical, with a four-year term intended to span multiple presidential administrations. However, Trump’s decision to dismiss both leaders reflects a sharp shift in military leadership philosophy.
On Saturday evening, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further expanded the shake-up, removing Air Force Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short from her position as his senior military assistant.
“Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting, and winning wars,” Hegseth said in a statement.
Dan “Razin” Caine: The New Military Pick
Trump praised Lt. Gen. Caine as a seasoned leader with the right mindset for modern warfare.
“During my first term, Razin was instrumental in the complete annihilation of the ISIS caliphate,” Trump said. “Many so-called military ‘geniuses’ said it would take years. General Caine got it done in weeks.”
Caine, who was previously passed over for promotion during the Biden administration, now stands to become the president’s top military adviser.
“Alongside Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Caine and our military will restore peace through strength, put America First, and rebuild our military,” Trump added.
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Military Leaders: Controversy and Political Fallout
The mass firings sparked immediate backlash. Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the removals as politically motivated.
“This appears to be part of a broader campaign by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to purge talented officers for politically charged reasons, which undermines the professionalism of our military,” Reed said.
Sen. Roger Wicker, the committee’s Republican chairman, took a more measured tone, thanking Gen. Brown for his service while expressing trust in Trump’s new appointments.
Criticism also came from retired Gen. George Casey, former Army Chief of Staff, who warned about the long-term implications of such moves.
“Civilian control of the military has been a core American principle for over 236 years,” Casey told media. “Firing officers for following prior directives undermines that principle. Change the policy, not the people.”
Targeting Military Culture
Defense Secretary Hegseth had previously signaled his intent to remove leaders involved in what he called “DEI woke s—”, emphasizing a return to strict warfighting priorities.
“Either you’re in for warfighting, or you’re out. That’s the only litmus test we care about,” Hegseth stated during a November appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show.
Hegseth also questioned Adm. Franchetti’s qualifications in his book “War on Warriors,” critiquing her appointment as being more symbolic than strategic.
The Road Ahead
With Gen. Caine’s nomination pending, Trump’s military reshuffle is set to shape U.S. defense strategies in the coming years. Hegseth has also requested nominations to replace Franchetti and several other high-ranking officials, signaling more changes ahead.
As political debate rages over the implications of these firings, the focus now turns to the Senate, where confirmation hearings for Caine will likely become another flashpoint in an already polarized environment.
