Washington: In a dramatic overhaul of the U.S. military’s top leadership, President Donald Trump dismissed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown, on Friday night.
His decision was followed closely by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement that he had removed both Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, and General James Slife, the Vice Chief of the Air Force.
Trump named retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John “Razin” Caine as Brown’s replacement, an unusual choice since Caine is not an active four-star general. Federal law mandates that the chairman be selected from among senior military commanders, though exceptions can be granted if deemed necessary for national security.
The shake-up aligns with Trump’s previously stated goal of restructuring military leadership, particularly his criticism of what he calls “woke” policies within the armed forces. Brown, who was the second Black officer to serve as the nation’s highest-ranking military official, had been a frequent target of conservative attacks. Franchetti, the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also criticized by Hegseth, who dismissed her as a “DEI hire” in his 2024 book.
Hegseth also announced plans to replace the Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) overseeing military legal affairs. He has been outspoken against them, previously referring to some as prioritizing personal gains over supporting front-line troops.
The dismissals, though expected for weeks, sent shockwaves through the Pentagon. Critics argue the moves risk politicizing military leadership, while Trump’s allies contend they are necessary to refocus the armed forces on their primary mission of combat readiness.
Trump defended his selection of Caine, praising him as a skilled commander who played a key role in defeating ISIS. The former president has long expressed admiration for Caine, recalling their meeting during his 2019 visit to Iraq.
The military leadership overhaul signals a major shift in defense priorities under Trump, with further replacements expected in the coming days.
