By — Tara Copp, Associated Press Tara Copp, Associated Press By — Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-fires-gen-cq-brown-as-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump fires Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Politics Feb 21, 2025 7:49 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, sidelining a history-making fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. WATCH: Retired military leaders weigh in on Trump ordering Pentagon to cut DEI programs The ouster of Brown, only the second Black general to serve as chairman, is sure to send shock waves through the Pentagon. His 16 months in the job had been consumed with the war in Ukraine and the expanded conflict in the Middle East. “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,” Trump posted on social media. Trump says he is nominating Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman. Trump acted despite support for Brown among key members of Congress and a seemingly friendly meeting with him in mid-December, when the two were seated next to each other for a time at the Army-Navy football game. Brown had been meeting regularly with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who took over the top Pentagon job just four weeks ago. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Tara Copp, Associated Press Tara Copp, Associated Press By — Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, sidelining a history-making fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. WATCH: Retired military leaders weigh in on Trump ordering Pentagon to cut DEI programs The ouster of Brown, only the second Black general to serve as chairman, is sure to send shock waves through the Pentagon. His 16 months in the job had been consumed with the war in Ukraine and the expanded conflict in the Middle East. “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,” Trump posted on social media. Trump says he is nominating Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next chairman. Trump acted despite support for Brown among key members of Congress and a seemingly friendly meeting with him in mid-December, when the two were seated next to each other for a time at the Army-Navy football game. Brown had been meeting regularly with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who took over the top Pentagon job just four weeks ago. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now