Trump Fires Four-star Coast Guard Chief

Homeland Security officials have removed Adm. Linda Fagan from her role as the Coast Guard’s commandant, according to a note sent to service members — the first firing of a top military officer under the Trump administration.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman, in his message, said Fagan had been relieved and Adm. Kevin E. Lunday would become the service’s acting commandant.

The note didn’t give a reason for the dismissal, although Fox News reported that the service’s recruitment issues and Fagan’s efforts to champion diversity, equity and inclusion programs were among the reasons for her ouster. President Donald Trump targeted such programs with an executive order just hours after taking office.

Trump has repeatedly promised to get rid of so-called woke generals and military officers who champion diversity, a pledge echoed by Pete Hegseth, the administration’s pick for Pentagon chief.

The Defense Department, Coast Guard and National Security Council referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Fagan was the first female service chief of a U.S.military branch. She faced bipartisan frustrations on Capitol Hill after criticism that that the Coast Guard had long mishandled sexual harassment and assault allegations.

The Coast Guard also has been under enormous budgetary pressure for years, with successive commandants pressing for more money to buy new ships and repair older ones as the service plays a greater role in global missions.