President Donald Trump has fired six high-ranking military officials since his inauguration in January. This clean sweep of the board could benefit the military, but it could also slow it down as they make major adjustments.

Apart from this, many of President Trump’s reasons for the purge were to remove political views from the military, such as “wokeness,” and to refocus it on protecting citizens.

General Charles Q. Brown Jr. – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Charles Q. Brown was the second African American to have ever served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), until he was dismissed on Feb. 21, 2025. The public was never offered a full explanation for his dismissal; however, there is much speculation.

His removal was connected to the reshuffling of top military leadership, as well as his support for diversity initiatives within the military. 

Brown was a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within the military, which may have contributed to his removal. Many criticized Brown for putting “race-based politics” first and military readiness second. 

The JCS is the primary advisory body to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council, giving military advice on all major military matters. 

Admiral Lisa Franchetti – Chief of Naval Operations

Admiral Lisa Franchetti was the first woman to ever serve as the Chief of Naval Operations. Her removal comes with the larger shake-up of top military leadership, including General Charles Q. Brown Jr. and General James Slife. She was dismissed on Feb. 21, 2025.

The Trump administration did not provide a specific reason for the firing, but many have theorized on what led to her dismissal.

Many credited her discharge to her support of DEI programs and the political differences she shared with the Trump administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who ordered her dismissal, called Franchetti a pick for “social justice ideologues.”

Similar to Brown’s removal, the Trump administration felt that she prioritized DEI programs over military readiness and discharged her due to these perceived concerns.

General James Slife – Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force

General James Slife was removed from his position as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force on Feb. 21, 2025. His removal came as part of a broader leadership change in the Department of Defense.

The public was never given a reason for the discharge, other than that it was related to the removal of General Brown Jr. and Adm. Franchetti.

Some analysts suggest that his removal may be linked to his support of DEI programs, though no reasons have been confirmed.

The Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force is the second-highest-ranking officer in the Air Force and is supposed to assist the Chief of Staff in leading the service.

Lieutenant General Joseph B. Berger III – Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army

Lieutenant General Joseph B. Berger III served as the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the U.S. Army until his removal on Oct. 10, 2025. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Berger was removed because he was not well-suited to the position.

His removal was linked to disagreements within the military and an effort to reorganize senior military leadership.

Berger was a supporter of reforms in the military legal system. He wanted to increase the fairness and accountability in misconduct cases. Many argued that his reforms disrupted the army’s structures and priorities.

The JAG of the U.S. Army is the legal advisor responsible for upholding the legal policy and providing counsel to Army leadership on legal matters.

Lieutenant General Charles L. Plummer – Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Air Force

Lieutenant General Charles L. Plummer served as the JAG of the U.S. Air Force until his removal on Oct. 15, 2025. The public was not offered an official explanation for his dismissal.

His removal is believed to be connected to disagreements over legal reforms within the Air Force, as well as efforts to reshape leadership roles.

Plummer had been pushing to reform the Air Force’s legal system, improve support for our veterans, and improve the handling of cases. Some, however, labeled him as disruptive to military traditions.

The JAG of the U.S. Air Force is the highest legal officer responsible for overseeing the legal system in the Air Force and advising the Air Force leadership.

Admiral Linda Fagan – Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Admiral Linda Fagan served as the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard until her removal on Oct. 18, 2025. The public was given very little information on her dismissal.

Her removal is linked to disagreements over the Coast Guard’s priorities, as well as leadership changes within the Department of Homeland Security.

Fagan wanted to expand the Coast Guard’s role in climate and security, but some argued that she put her own agenda above the Coast Guard’s competency, while others say that she was removed as part of a political attack.

The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard is the highest-ranking officer in the Coast Guard, responsible for the upkeep of the Coast Guard’s policy and operations.

Some Saint Paul’s students feel that, in the end, these firings are justified: “If someone without the proper qualifications for Military Leadership is only put in a position of command, because they fill a diversity quota and not because they are good at their job, they shouldn’t be there,” Saint Paul’s Junior J.T. Bouvier said.

However, where many differ is that they believe that President Trump fired these people for political reasons and not the content of their work. Interestingly, before he became president, Trump’s catch phrase as an entrepreneur was “you’re fired!”

Regardless, Saint Paul’s sophomore Charles Richard is very attentive and captivated by what impact this will have. “It’s definitely interesting to see a president take action like this, especially on such a high-ranking system, and I’m interested to see what’s going to happen next.”

Now, with rising international conflicts, many eyes are glued on seeing whether this military sweep will be beneficial or harmful to the country in the long run.

–

Feature Image Photo Credit: Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo