President Donald Trump has removed General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. military’s top leadership.
Brown, a 40-year military veteran and the second Black officer to ever hold the position, was dismissed alongside five other senior officers in what marks one of the biggest leadership shake-ups in recent U.S. military history.
In a statement on social media, Trump thanked Brown for his service while confirming the departure of several other top military officials.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a key Trump ally, also announced the firings of:
- Adm Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations and the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy
- Gen Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Hegseth, who had previously criticized Brown’s leadership for its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, defended the move, stating:
“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.”
Trump also announced his nomination of Air Force Lt Gen Dan Caine as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine, a career F-16 pilot, most recently served as CIA Associate Director for Military Affairs.
Brown was visiting U.S. troops at the southern border when Trump announced his removal—just two hours before the public announcement. His term was originally set to expire in 2027, but speculation had been mounting for days that Trump was planning his dismissal.
The shake-up signals a clear shift in military strategy under Trump, as his administration moves to reshape the Pentagon’s leadership to align with its priorities on national security and defense.
