President Donald Trump sacked Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, marking a significant shake-up in military leadership. Brown, a decorated fighter pilot and only the second Black officer to hold the role, had served in the position for just 16 months.
The decision is part of a broader effort by Trump’s administration to reshape the Pentagon’s leadership. The move comes amid ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as 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 said in a statement on social media.
Brown’s tenure had been marked by controversy due to his public support for diversity initiatives and his comments on racial inequality in the military. His support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of George Floyd made him a target in ongoing debates over “wokeism” within the armed forces.
The Pentagon is also set to implement further changes, including cutting 5,400 civilian probationary workers next week and identifying $50 billion in budget reductions next year to realign resources toward the administration’s priorities.
Trump has nominated retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to replace Brown. Caine, a career F-16 pilot, has served in both active duty and the National Guard and was most recently the associate director for military affairs at the CIA. His experience includes combat operations in Iraq, special operations assignments, and involvement in classified Pentagon programs.
However, Caine has not held key positions traditionally required for the role, such as vice chairman, combatant commander, or service chief. A waiver could be issued if the president deems his appointment necessary for national security.
The removal of Brown is part of a broader reshuffling of military leadership. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced the dismissals of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife.
Franchetti, who was the second woman in history to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the Navy, previously commanded U.S. 6th Fleet and served in multiple high-level leadership positions, including combat deployments. Slife, a veteran of the Air Force Special Operations Command, has been involved in multiple deployments to the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Trump’s latest round of military leadership changes has drawn strong reactions from both political parties. While Republican leaders have largely supported the moves, congressional Democrats have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the military.
“The military must remain apolitical and dedicated to serving the Constitution, not any political party,” said Sen. Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Brown’s confirmation in 2023 faced obstacles due to Senate delays, but he was ultimately approved in a bipartisan 89-8 vote. His appointment marked a historic moment as, for the first time, both the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs chairman were Black.
Trump’s decision to dismiss Brown underscores his administration’s commitment to reshaping the military leadership as he begins his second term.
