In a stunning move, President Donald Trump dismissed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, removing the history-making fighter pilot and respected military leader from his position. The abrupt decision is part of an ongoing effort by the administration to overhaul military leadership, with an emphasis on eliminating officials perceived as supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the armed forces.
Brown, who was only the second Black general to serve as chairman, had spent much of his 16-month tenure focusing on the war in Ukraine and escalating conflicts in the Middle East. His removal is expected to send shockwaves throughout the Pentagon, where he had built a reputation as a steady and strategic leader.
The move comes alongside a sweeping shake-up within the military’s top ranks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the firing of Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti, who made history as the first woman to lead the Navy, and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force James Slife. Additionally, judge advocates general for the Army, Navy, and Air Force are also being replaced.
Trump expressed his gratitude for Brown’s service in a social media post: “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.”
To replace Brown, Trump has nominated retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, a decorated combat pilot. Defense Secretary Hegseth praised Caine’s qualifications, stating that he “embodies the warfighter ethos and is exactly the leader we need to meet the moment.” Caine, who has logged more than 2,800 hours in an F-16, including 150 combat hours, most recently served as the director of special programs at the Pentagon’s Special Access Program Central Office.
The nomination of Caine represents a break from tradition, as he is currently a three-star general, while the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is typically a four-star officer. Caine’s background includes serving as associate director for Military Affairs at the CIA, and he holds a degree in economics from the Virginia Military Institute.
Brown’s removal follows speculation surrounding his standing with the administration, despite his cordial meeting with Trump at the Army-Navy football game in December. Brown had also maintained consistent contact with Hegseth, who assumed his role as Defense Secretary only four weeks ago. However, the administration’s ongoing purge of officials aligned with diversity and equity policies in the military appears to have contributed to his dismissal.
Trump’s decision has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers and military officials. Supporters argue the changes are necessary to refocus the military on combat readiness and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, while critics see the move as politically motivated and destabilizing during a time of heightened global security threats.
As the Pentagon prepares for this leadership transition, the confirmation process for Caine is expected to face scrutiny. His appointment signals a significant shift in military leadership and direction, reinforcing Trump’s broader efforts to reshape the armed forces in alignment with his administration’s vision. The coming weeks will reveal how these dramatic changes will impact military strategy and governance on a national and global scale.