Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the chief of the Navy, and General James Slife, the Vice Chief of the Air Force, on Friday night.
Hegseth made the announcement shortly after President Trump fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles “CQ” Brown, on Friday and announced his replacement.
Trump nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
President Trump also directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to solicit nominations for five additional high-level positions, which will be announced soon.”
Hegseth released a statement on General Charles Brown Friday night and announced a purge was underway at the Pentagon.
“The outgoing Chairman, Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, Jr., USAF, has served with distinction in a career spanning four decades of honorable service. I have come to know him as a thoughtful adviser and salute him for his distinguished service to our country,” Hegseth said in a statement.
“I am also requesting nominations for the positions of Chief of Naval Operations and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff. The incumbents in these important roles, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, respectively, have had distinguished careers. We thank them for their service and dedication to our country,” Hegseth said.
“We are also requesting nominations for the Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy and Air Force,” he added.
“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,” Hegseth said.
A major (and long rumored) purge is underway at the Pentagon tonight. After President Trump ousts the Joint Chiefs Chairman, Secretary Hegseth fires the chief of the Navy, the vice chief of the Air Force and says he’s “requesting nominations” for the Judge Advocates General for…
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 22, 2025
