Trump terminates chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff amid US military leadership shake-up

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will replace Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown, as part of a series of sweeping changes in the leadership of the US armed forces.

Trump offered no explanation for his decision to fire Brown, less than two years into a typically four-year term.

The move follows a series of federal firings and government shakeups, all less than a month into the Republican president’s second term in the White House.

Following Trump’s decision, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that he was also working to replace Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to command the US Navy.

“I want to thank General Charles Brown for his more than 40 years of service to the armed forces,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, praising him as an outstanding leader.

In 2023, former Democratic President Joe Biden appointed General Brown (63) as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the United States.

Brown became the second African American to hold this position, noting that Trump appointed him as commander of the Air Force during his first presidential term (2017-2021).

Brown is a veteran pilot in the US Army, and during his career, he commanded a squadron of fighter aircraft, in addition to the Air Forces of the Central Command (CENTCOM), whose area of ​​operations includes the Middle East.

He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as of October 2023.

Following the killing of African-American George Floyd in 2020 by a white police officer, Brown released a video in which he emotionally recounted his personal experience, including his suffering from discrimination in the armed forces.

“I think back to my Air Force career when I was often the only African American in a squadron, or the only one in a command room as an officer,” Brown said.

“I think about the pressure I felt to do my job without making a mistake, especially from my supervisors who expected me to do less than others, just because I was African American,” he continued.

Upon his return to the White House, the Republican president pledged to dismiss a number of senior officials, including some who hold positions that are traditionally considered stable even in the event of a political change.

Defense Minister Pete Hegseth had previously suggested, before he was confirmed, that General Brown and any other military official “involved in dirty WOK politics” should be removed.

Hegseth said in November that any senior officer involved in any of the diversity, equality and engagement policies… should go, but last month he confirmed he was looking forward to working with Brown.

Trump has nominated retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to replace General Brown.

The US president described Caine as a skilled pilot, national security expert, successful businessman, and veteran of special operations.

Trump wrote Friday that Caine would work with Hegseth to put America first and rebuild our military.

Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine, previously held several positions, including assistant director of military affairs at the CIA.

Speaking at a Saudi investment forum in Miami on Wednesday, Trump said he met Caine while serving in Iraq, saying he was part of a group of handsome guys, everyone looked like they were from a movie.

He continued that Caine told him that his military nickname was “Razin” adding, “I said to him, ‘Wait a minute, your name is Razin Caine? I love you; I’ve been looking for you for five years… This is what I want”.

In another major shake-up of the Pentagon’s structure, Hegseth announced that he is looking for a replacement for Franchetti, the first woman to command the US Navy and join the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I am nominating the two current incumbents, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James C. Slife, for the positions of Commandant of the Navy and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force,” Hegseth said.

“Their current incumbents, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, have distinguished careers… We thank them for their service and dedication to our country”.

Hegseth didn’t explain the reasons for the decision.

Franchetti, who has been in command of the Navy since November 2023, has previously served on warships and commanded a destroyer.

She also served as deputy commander of US Naval Forces Europe.