Donald Trump administration removes top US general as part of major overhaul of US military
Washington, DC: In a significant shake-up of the US military, the Trump administration dismissed the top US general on Friday (local time). His defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, then dismissed the US Navy leader and the Air Force vice chief, CNN said.
Trump said that Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dan “Razin” Caine will take over as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, succeeding Charles Q. Brown.
According to an Air Force source cited by CNN, Caine is retired and not a four-star general; thus, the transfer is noteworthy.
General Charles Q. Brown has served our nation for more than 40 years, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. US President Trump honored him for his contributions in a post on Truth Social. I hope he and his family have a bright future since he is a terrific leader and a gentleman.
“Today, I am honored to announce that I am nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Trump said in the same article. General Caine is a successful entrepreneur, a skilled pilot, a national security specialist, and a “warfighter” with extensive interagency and special operations experience.
“Razin played a key role in the total destruction of the ISIS caliphate during my first term. In only a few weeks, it was completed at record speed. Many so-called military “geniuses” predicted that defeating ISIS would take years. However, the statement also said that General Caine delivered on his promise that it could be completed swiftly.
Even though General Caine was “highly qualified and respected to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” the US President also said that the Biden administration had overlooked him for a promotion.
According to Trump, “General Caine, Secretary Pete Hegseth, and our military will rebuild our military, put America first, and restore peace through strength.” Lastly, Secretary Hegseth will shortly disclose the five additional high-level posts for which I have instructed him to seek nominations. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this.
A few minutes later, Hegseth issued a statement declaring that Navy Chief Admiral Lisa Franchetti had been fired. CNN stated that Hegseth also said on Friday that General James Slife, the Air Force’s vice commander, had been removed and that he was “requesting nominations” for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Judge Advocates General, implying that they would be replaced.
Additionally, I’m asking for suggestions for the Vice Chief of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations posts in the Air Force. Both General James Slife and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who now hold these significant positions, have had illustrious careers. We appreciate their service and commitment to our nation,” Hegseth said.
“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,” he said.
The president must choose the senior military officials from the combatant commands or the heads of the armed services, both of which are 4-star posts, according to federal law. The president may, however, disregard the rule if “such action is necessary in the national interest,” as CNN reports.
