Synopsis
In a significant move, President Trump announced the dismissal of CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, nominating Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as his replacement. This decision is expected to have serious implications for the military and national security, given Brown's recent focus on key global conflicts.Key Takeaways
- Trump has replaced CQ Brown with Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Brown's tenure included critical challenges such as the war in Ukraine.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth has endorsed Trump's efforts to eliminate diversity programs within the military.
- Caine's experience includes combat roles and classified Pentagon operations.
- Trump's actions reflect a broader strategy to reshape military leadership in his second term.
Washington, Feb 22 (NationPress) President Donald Trump announced late Friday that the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CQ Brown, would be stepping down. Trump intends to nominate Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as his successor.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed gratitude for General Charles 'CQ' Brown’s over 40 years of service, including his tenure as Chairman. Trump described him as a distinguished leader and wished him and his family well, but did not clarify whether Brown had resigned or been dismissed.
The Chairman serves as the highest-ranking military official in the nation, providing counsel to both the President and the Secretary of Defense on matters of national security.
The decision to remove Brown, who was only the second Black general to hold this position, is likely to create significant ripples within the Pentagon. His 16-month service was largely focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Brown had been in the role since October 2023, following his nomination by then-President Joe Biden.
On the day of the announcement, Brown was visiting troops stationed at the US southern border.
Speculation had circulated earlier in the week regarding Trump’s intentions to replace Brown, whose term was originally set to conclude in 2027.
During a November podcast, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that there were numerous issues within the military, including its diversity policies, which he believed the Trump administration needed to address. He stated, 'First of all, you got to fire the chairman of Joint Chiefs' while outlining the necessary actions Trump should take.
Hegseth later announced plans for the Pentagon to reduce its budget and lay off 5,400 probationary employees.
In his post, Trump mentioned that he had asked Hegseth to seek nominations for five additional high-ranking positions, which are expected to be revealed soon.
Trump is nominating Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as the new chairman. Caine, a seasoned F-16 pilot, has served both on active duty and in the National Guard. He most recently worked as the associate director for military affairs at the CIA, according to his official military biography.
Caine's military background encompasses combat roles in Iraq, special operations assignments, and involvement in several highly classified Pentagon programs. However, he lacks some key experiences required for the position, although the President can waive these prerequisites in times of national urgency.
In a statement lauding both Caine and Brown, Defense Secretary Hegseth disclosed the dismissal of two additional senior military officers: Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Jim Slife.
Brown had spent Friday evaluating the military’s swift buildup of forces at the US-Mexico border in response to Trump’s executive order addressing illegal immigration.
Trump's action came despite Brown’s support from several key congressional members and a seemingly amicable meeting with him during the Army-Navy football game in mid-December. Brown had been in regular discussions with Hegseth, who took over the Pentagon leadership just four weeks earlier.
However, Brown’s position was called into question during the Senate Armed Services Committee’s confirmation hearing for Hegseth last month. When asked if he would terminate Brown, Hegseth responded, 'Every single senior officer will be reviewed based on meritocracy, standards, lethality, and commitment to lawful orders they will be given.'
Hegseth has supported Trump’s initiative to eliminate programs that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the military and terminate personnel reflecting those values.
Previously, Hegseth had directed criticism towards Brown, stating, 'First of all, you gotta fire, you know, you gotta fire the chairman of Joint Chiefs.' He also questioned whether Brown’s appointment was influenced by his race.
As he arrived at the Pentagon on his first day in office on January 27, Hegseth was asked if he planned to dismiss Brown. He responded affirmatively, expressing his intention to work collaboratively with him.
In his second term, Trump has exercised his executive authority more assertively, removing many officials from Biden's administration, even though such positions typically transition independently between administrations.
Just before his Senate confirmation vote in June 2020 to become Chief of the Air Force, Brown gained attention for speaking out on the police killing of George Floyd, asserting the importance of addressing the issue.
