Trump Initiates Dismissals of Brown, Slife, Franchetti, and Others in the Purge
In a surprising move, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John "Dan" Caine as the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. The announcement was made through a social media post on February 21.
Caine's nomination comes as an unusual choice as U.S. Code requires the nominee to have served in certain roles, such as Vice Chairman, Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Chief of Space Operations, or as the commander of a unified or specified combatant command. Caine, however, did not fulfill these requirements.
The law does provide for exemptions, allowing the President to appoint an officer if they deem it necessary in the national interest. Congress must confirm any nomination.
Caine retired in December, following a tour as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA. Trump has publicly praised Caine since the beginning of his presidency.
In addition, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to replace Air Force Vice Chief of Staff James C. "Jim" Slife, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and the Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Further dismissals are believed to be imminent.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, hailed Caine's accomplishments, citing his role in the "complete annihilation of the ISIS caliphate" during his first term. He also criticized former President Joe Biden for not promoting Caine to a four-star general.
Whether retired generals can be recalled to Active service is legal, as illustrated by Army Gen. Peter Schoomaker and Army Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor in the past. Caine was an Air National Guardsman, serving part-time from 2009 to 2016.
Brown, who started his nominal four-year term as Chairman in October 2023, is now being replaced. The last Chairman to serve fewer than four years was Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who held the position for two years when the term was only two years long, renewable up to four years. Brown had previously been nominated and took office as Chief of Staff of the Air Force by Trump.
Navy Adm. Christopher W. Grady is now acting as Chairman, with Brown wishing him a great future. Brown was the 22nd Air Force Chief of Staff and the 21st Chairman, the second Airman to serve as Chairman in this century.
Rumors of Brown's dismissal had been circulating around the Pentagon for weeks, gaining traction recently with specific names reportedly being discussed among Republicans on Capitol Hill.
In recent months, Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, has publicly criticized Brown and Franchetti. In November, he stated, "Any general that was involved... that was involved in any of the DEI woke s- has got to go." In his book "The War on Warriors," Hegseth alleged Brown "built his generalship dutifully pursuing the radical positions of left-wing politicians, who in turn rewarded him with promotions."
It remains unclear whether Congress's bipartisan armed services committees will raise objections to these dismissals. The Senate must confirm all nominations to general and flag officer positions. Senate ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) was critical of the dismissals, stating that a professional, apolitical military subordinate to the civilian government and supportive of the Constitution is essential to the survival of democracy. SASC Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) thanked Brown for his service, expressing confidence that Hegseth and Trump would select a qualified and capable successor.
Trump had previously fired one uniformed leader, Coast Guard Adm. Linda L. Fagan, within hours of taking office on January 20. The Coast Guard is a military service, but falls under the Department of Homeland Security.
Hegseth's statement read, "Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting and winning wars."
In terms of national security, these dismissals raise questions about the political motivations behind them and their potential impact on the military's professionalism and the democracy.
- presidential nomination, John "Dan" Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacement of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr, U.S. Code, certain roles, Vice Chairman, Chief of Staff, Army, Navy, Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Space Operations, unified or specified combatant command.
- Joint Chiefs of Staff nomination, John "Dan" Caine, unusual choice, law, exemptions, national interest, Congress confirmation.
- Caine retirement, Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA, praise from President Trump.
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, replacements of Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, Judge Advocates General, further dismissals.
- Trump's praise for Caine, "complete annihilation of the ISIS caliphate", criticism of Biden, four-star general promotion.
- Army Gen. Peter Schoomaker, Army Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, retired generals recall to Active service, legal, national security questions, potential impact on military's professionalism and democracy, political motivations.
