In 2025 and 2026, the Trump administration removed several senior United States military leaders, including service chiefs, intelligence heads, and the Secretary of the Navy. The changes affected the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the National Security Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency.
United States Military Command Structure
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the highest-ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces. The Joint Chiefs of Staff include the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in advisory roles.
Key Dismissals in 2025
- In February 2025, President Donald Trump dismissed Air Force General Charles Q. Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and nominated retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as his successor.
- In February 2025, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, was removed from office.
- In February 2025, General Jim Slife, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, was dismissed along with four other admirals and generals.
- On his first day in office in February 2025, President Trump removed Admiral Linda Fagan as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
- In April 2025, Timothy Haugh was removed as Director of the National Security Agency, and Jeffrey Kruse was removed as head of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Changes in the Pentagon
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth assumed office in January 2025 and oversaw multiple senior personnel changes in the Pentagon. Just weeks before 22 April 2026, he dismissed the Army’s top uniformed officer, General Randy George.
Navy Leadership Change in 2026
On 22 or 23 April 2026, Navy Secretary John Phelan was dismissed, and Undersecretary Hung Cao was appointed acting secretary. Phelan was the first head of a military service to leave office during Trump’s second term.
Service Modernisation and Shipbuilding
The Navy’s modernisation agenda includes shipbuilding, fleet readiness, and procurement of new platforms. The United States Navy is the world’s largest navy by displacement and operates aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, and amphibious assault ships. The Defence Intelligence Agency is a United States Department of Defence agency that provides military intelligence to policymakers and combat commanders. The National Security Agency is responsible for signals intelligence and information assurance in the United States.
Last Modified: April 23, 2026