Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Donald Trump’s abrupt firing of the nation’s senior military officer, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., asserting that the decision is not unusual and emphasizing that the Trump administration has the right to select its national security team. This dismissal comes amid a series of personnel changes at the Pentagon, igniting concerns over the potential politicization of the military.
During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Hegseth stated, “Nothing about this is unprecedented,” referring to the firing of Brown, who had served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for 16 months. He highlighted historical precedents of other presidents making significant changes to military leadership, referencing figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama, the latter having relieved Army Gen. David McKiernan from his post in Afghanistan early in his first term.
In contrast to these historical examples, Trump's approach has been underscored by his campaign promise to eliminate “woke” ideologies from the military. The administration has expressed intentions to replace military officials who advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, aiming instead to establish a more aggressive fighting force. Hegseth indicated that additional firings of senior military officials are on the horizon, suggesting a focus on ensuring alignment with the administration’s national security strategy.
Brown, notable for being the second Black general to hold the position, faced challenges during his tenure involving the ongoing war in Ukraine and the heightened tensions in the Middle East. He was initially nominated by Trump in 2020. Trump’s administration is reportedly looking to replace Brown with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, who stepped down in December. The process of recalling Caine to active duty may require Senate confirmation.
Hegseth stated that the latest firings impacted six three- and four-star generals, signifying a desire from Trump to surround himself with personnel that align with his national security vision. While Hegseth praised Brown's honor, he asserted that Brown was “not the right man for the moment,” without elaborating on specific shortcomings. He noted that Brown had previously shared personal experiences as a Black pilot in the context of the protests following the murder of George Floyd, which may have placed him at odds with the current administration’s objectives regarding inclusivity in military culture.
Retired General George Casey, who led U.S. and multinational forces in Iraq from 2004 to 2007, criticized the firings as “extremely destabilizing,” but acknowledged that such decisions fall within the president’s rights as commander-in-chief. Meanwhile, Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, characterized the dismissals as “completely unjustified” and suggested that the administration is attempting to inject politics into the Department of Defense.
On the question of whether any lists of future officials for dismissal exist, Hegseth denied this but implied that further changes to military leadership might be anticipated. He emphasized the importance of military leaders’ adherence to lawful orders, contrasting Trump’s directives with those of previous administrations, particularly those perceived negatively by Hegseth, like COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Hegseth affirmed that “President Trump has given another set of lawful orders and they will be followed,” indicating that non-compliance could lead to additional dismissals.
