Trump changed top military leadership by firing General Brown.

Trump dismissed the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

President Donald Trump fired the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles 'CQ' Brown Jr., along with other high-ranking military leaders.

According to Axios, the dismissal also affects Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife. These personnel decisions occur against the backdrop of mass dismissals within the Trump administration and pushback against initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Brown was the first Black Air Force Chief of Staff and the second four-star general after Colin Powell. Franchetti became the first woman to hold the highest officer position in the U.S. Navy. All three were appointed to their posts by former President Biden.

Trump previously stated that the military leadership was too focused on diversity issues and on January 27, he signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The president did not explain the reasons for the dismissals of the military leaders, but on Truth Social, he thanked Brown for his more than 40 years of service in the United States and called him a 'wonderful gentleman and excellent leader.' Trump also nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Dan 'Raisin' Cain to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stating that Biden 'passed him over, climbing his own career ladder.'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the dismissals of Franchetti and Slife in a Friday statement, saying he was seeking candidates for their positions. 'Under President Trump,' he said, 'we are creating new leadership that will focus on the core mission of our armed forces - deterring, fighting, and winning wars.'