US president Donald Trump has fired America’s top military officer, as part of a major shake-up of the US armed forces leadership.
The president offered no explanation for dismissing Gen Charles “CQ” Brown, who was less than two years into his four-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“I want to thank Gen 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,” Mr Trump said on his Truth Social network.
Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, had previously called for Gen Brown’s dismissal because of his “woke” focus on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programmes in the army.
Following the president’s announcement, Mr Hegseth said he was looking for a replacement for Adml Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as America’s top US Navy officer. Gen Jim Slife, vice-chief of staff of the US air force, was also fired.
Five top officers were being replaced in addition to Gen Brown, according to Mr Trump, who told Fox News before the election that he would “fire woke generals”.
“You can’t have a woke military,” Mr Trump said.
All three of the top officers named on Friday were appointed by Joe Biden.
“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,” said Mr Hegseth.
Gen Brown went viral on social media after sharing an emotional video about his personal experience of discrimination in the military, after the murder of George Floyd.
“I’m thinking about my Air Force career, where I was often the only African-American in my squadron or, as a senior officer, the only African-American in the room,” Mr Brown said.
“I’m thinking about the pressure I felt to perform error-free, especially for supervisors I perceive had expected less from me as an African-American.”
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