Trump dismisses Top US General CQ Brown in Pentagon Shake-up

HIGHLIGHTS:

• President Trump removes Gen. CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with two other senior officers, in a shake-up of military leadership.
• Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump prioritize military’s core mission, focusing on deterring and winning wars, and cutting diversity initiatives. 
• A federal court blocks Trump’s diversity bans while the Pentagon announces budget cuts and layoffs of 5,400 probationary employees.

President Donald Trump has removed CQ Brown, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the country's highest-ranking officer, in a significant shake-up of the top military leadership.

"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," Trump posted on social media. He said five other top officers were being replaced.

Gen Brown was the second Black officer in US history to hold the position, which provides counsel to both the president and the secretary of defense on national security matters.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously called for Gen Brown's dismissal, criticizing his emphasis on "woke" diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military.

Later on Friday, Hegseth announced the dismissal of two other senior officers: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife.

Adm. Franchetti was the first woman to serve as the Navy’s leader.

All three top officers removed on Friday had been appointed by former President Joe Biden.

Hegseth stated: "Under President Trump, we are bringing in new leadership that will prioritize the military's core mission of deterring, fighting, and winning wars."

Trump announced that he would nominate Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, a career F-16 pilot who most recently served as CIA associate director for military affairs, as the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gen Brown was visiting troops at the US southern border on Friday, about two hours before Trump posted the announcement of his departure.

All week, there have been rumors that the president may be about to relieve Gen Brown, whose term was supposed to last until 2027. Brown attracted national attention in 2020 when he spoke out against race after George Floyd's death. He shared video messages with the Air Force about the challenges he faced as one of a few black men in his unit when he was considered for the job.

Colin Powell made history when he became the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving between 1989 and 1993. The first executive power that Trump exercised after assuming office last month was the dismissal of the first female commandant of the Coast Guard, citing "extensive focus" on diversity.

Hegseth was also recorded stating during a podcast before his confirmation in November that there were countless things wrong with the military, especially in terms of diversity initiatives, that the Trump administration had to correct. "First and foremost, you need to fire the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs," Hegseth explained, giving what he thought was the best route for Trump to take. The Pentagon also revealed on Friday that it would cut its budget and can 5,400 probationary government employees next week.

Meanwhile, a federal court in Maryland temporarily halted Trump from enforcing bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

US District Judge Adam Abelson stated that Trump's directives likely infringe upon free speech rights under the US Constitution.