President Donald Trump has dismissed Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. from his role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, removing the first Black leader in that position since Colin Powell. The decision, announced Friday, sidelines a highly respected officer and veteran fighter pilot as part of a broader effort by his administration to reshape military leadership.
Gen. Brown, only the second Black officer to serve as chairman, had spent his 16-month tenure focusing on global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East. His removal marks a significant shake-up within the Pentagon, particularly as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continues his push to restructure military leadership.
“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for 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,” Trump stated on social media.
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Brown’s vocal support for Black Lives Matter in the wake of George Floyd’s killing had made him a target in the administration’s broader efforts to eliminate what it deems “wokeism” in the armed forces. His removal coincides with significant changes at the Pentagon, including a planned reduction of 5,400 civilian employees next week and a review of $50 billion in potential budget cuts to realign funding priorities.
Trump has nominated retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor, according to reports. A career F-16 pilot with extensive combat experience in Iraq and classified Pentagon special access programs, Caine most recently served as associate director for military affairs at the CIA. However, he has not held roles traditionally required for the chairman position, such as vice chairman, combatant commander, or service chief. The legal requirement for such experience may be waived if deemed necessary for national security.
In addition to Brown’s dismissal, Defense Secretary Hegseth also announced the firings of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife. Franchetti, the second woman ever to achieve four-star admiral status, had an extensive command career, including leadership of U.S. 6th Fleet. Slife, who previously commanded Air Force Special Operations, acknowledged his departure, stating, “The President and Secretary of Defense deserve to have generals they trust. While I’m disappointed to leave under these circumstances, I wouldn’t want the outcome to be any different.”
Trump’s assertive approach to restructuring the military extends beyond these dismissals. His administration has actively removed holdovers from the Biden era, despite many positions traditionally carrying over between administrations. This move follows speculation on Capitol Hill regarding a circulated list of targeted dismissals, though formal notifications were not provided to key Republican lawmakers.
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Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, refrained from endorsing Caine but acknowledged Brown’s contributions. “I thank Chairman Brown for his decades of honorable service to our nation,” Wicker stated, adding that he trusted Trump and Hegseth to select a qualified replacement.
Democratic lawmakers, however, condemned the shake-up as an attempt to politicize military leadership. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island warned against undermining the military’s apolitical nature, stating, “For the sake of our troops and the well-being of every American, elected leaders—especially Senate Republicans—must defend that enduring principle against corrosive attempts to remake the military into a partisan force.”
Brown’s departure was anticipated following Hegseth’s confirmation hearing last month. When questioned about Brown’s future, Hegseth indicated that all senior officers would be evaluated based on merit, standards, and commitment to lawful orders. In previous statements, he had questioned whether Brown’s appointment was based on merit or race.
Despite his departure, Brown’s legacy remains significant. His 2020 video message addressing racial disparities in the military drew widespread attention, highlighting the challenges faced by Black service members. His confirmation as chairman in 2023, following delays by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, marked a historic moment as the first time both the defense secretary and Joint Chiefs chairman were Black.
