Trump unexpectedly fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On February 21, US President Donald Trump abruptly fired Air Force General CQ Brown Jr. from his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – the highest-ranking officer position in the US military.

Four-star Air Force General Brown, a former fighter pilot known by the nickname CQ, is the second African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. According to AP, Brown's dismissal will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the Pentagon. During his 16 months in office, he faced numerous significant challenges, including the conflict in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

"I want to thank General Charles CQ Brown for over 40 years of service to the country, including his current role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was a gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish him and his family a bright future," President Trump posted on social media.

Retired three-star Air Force General Dan Caine will replace Brown. Caine is a former F-16 pilot who served in the Army and the U.S. National Guard. Most recently, he was the deputy director for military affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Traditionally, the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retain their positions even when administrations change. According to The New York Times , President Trump's dismissal of Brown represents a significant reversal from 2020, when he nominated General Brown to be the Air Force Chief of Staff.

The decision to fire General Brown reflects President Trump's view that military leaders are bogged down in issues of racial and gender diversity, losing focus on the fighting force protecting the country and failing to align with the "America First" goal.

In a statement on February 21, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised both Caine and Brown, and announced the dismissal of two more senior officers: Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Commander of the US Navy, and General Jim Slife, Vice Chairman of the US Air Force Staff.

Secretary Hegseth also supported Trump's efforts to end programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the ranks and to fire those who reflect those values.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-trump-bat-ngo-sa-thai-chu-tich-hoi-dong-tham-muu-truong-lien-quan-my-185250222091607422.htm