WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Realizanew) – In a dramatic move, President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General C.Q. Brown, and removed five other high-ranking military officials in a sweeping shakeup of U.S. military leadership. Realizanew brings you the latest updates on this unprecedented event.

Trump announced on Truth Social that he intends to nominate retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to replace Brown, marking the first time a retired officer has been tapped for the nation’s top military post. The president also plans to replace the head of the U.S. Navy, currently led by Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to command a military branch, as well as the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff. Additionally, the judge advocates general for the Army, Navy, and Air Force—key roles overseeing military justice—will be removed.

Trump Fires Top Generals in Sweeping Military Leadership Overhaul

This decision plunges the Pentagon into a period of uncertainty, as the department was already preparing for significant changes under Trump’s “America First” foreign policy, including mass dismissals of civilian staff, a major budget overhaul, and shifts in global military deployments. While civilian leadership at the Pentagon typically changes with each administration, the uniformed military is designed to remain apolitical, serving under both Democratic and Republican presidents.

General Brown, the second Black officer to serve as the president’s top military adviser, was midway through a four-year term set to end in September 2027. A U.S. official confirmed that Brown was relieved of his duties immediately, even before the Senate could confirm his successor.

Reports of a sweeping overhaul of military leadership under the incoming Trump administration first surfaced in November, with Brown among those expected to be dismissed. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Stay updated with Realizanew for more insights.

C.Q. Brown Dismissal Sparks Controversy

Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, condemned the firings, stating, “Removing uniformed leaders as a political loyalty test, or for reasons unrelated to performance, undermines the trust and professionalism essential for our servicemembers to succeed in their missions.”

Representative Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat, called the dismissals “un-American, unpatriotic, and a threat to our troops and national security.” He added, “This is the very definition of politicizing our military.”

America First Foreign Policy Drives Pentagon Changes

This sweeping overhaul signals a significant shift in military leadership and raises questions about the future direction of the U.S. armed forces under Trump’s administration. The “America First” foreign policy has already led to changes in global military deployments, with a focus on reducing U.S. involvement in international conflicts and prioritizing domestic security. Realizanew will continue to monitor these developments.

Targeting ‘Woke’ Generals: Trump’s Military Agenda

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to remove “woke” generals and those he held responsible for the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, he did not provide a specific reason for Brown’s dismissal on Friday.

In a Truth Social post, Trump expressed gratitude to Brown, writing, “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.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has been critical of diversity initiatives in the military, had previously questioned whether Brown’s appointment was influenced by his race. In his 2024 book, The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, Hegseth wrote, “Was it because of his skin color? Or his skill? We’ll never know, but always doubt—which on its face seems unfair to CQ. But since he has made the race card one of his biggest calling cards, it doesn’t really much matter.”

Critics Decry Politicization of the Military

Brown, a seasoned fighter pilot with extensive experience in the Middle East and Asia, has openly discussed facing discrimination during his military career. In a heartfelt video following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, he shared his personal struggles, which resonated amid nationwide protests for racial justice.

At the time of Trump’s announcement, Brown was on official travel. Hours earlier, his official X account had posted images of him visiting troops stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border, where they are supporting Trump’s efforts to curb illegal immigration. “Border security has always been critical to the defense of our homeland. As we navigate unprecedented security challenges… we will ensure our troops at the border have everything they need,” Brown wrote.

A spokesperson for Brown did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For more updates, follow Realizanew.

Women Leaders Removed

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy, was among those dismissed. Her 2023 nomination by then-President Joe Biden had been unexpected, as many Pentagon officials anticipated Admiral Samuel Paparo, then-head of the Pacific Fleet, would be chosen. Paparo was later promoted to lead the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

This is not the first time Trump has removed a female military leader. On his first day in office, he fired Admiral Linda Fagan as head of the U.S. Coast Guard, the first woman to hold that position.

Last month, the Trump administration also targeted retired Army General Mark Milley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by revoking his security clearance and personal security detail. Milley’s portrait was also removed from the Pentagon.

Milley, who served as the top military officer during part of Trump’s first term, became a vocal critic of the former president after retiring in 2023. His outspokenness has made him a target of death threats.

The Trump administration has yet to announce replacements for the judge advocates general of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In his book, Hegseth criticized military lawyers, claiming they “spend more time prosecuting our troops than putting away bad guys.”

Stay informed with Realizanew as we continue to cover this developing story.