On Friday, President Donald Trump dismissed Air Force General C.Q. Brown from his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and announced plans to replace five other senior military officials, marking an extraordinary shift in U.S. military leadership.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump indicated that he would nominate retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor. Caine, a former F-16 pilot, most recently served as the associate director of military affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency.

Additionally, Trump will appoint a new head of the U.S. Navy, currently led by Admiral Lisa Franchetti, and will also make changes to the air force vice chief of staff and the judge advocates general for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, according to the Pentagon.

This decision initiates a significant period of transition at the Pentagon, which is already preparing for potential civilian staff dismissals, a comprehensive budget overhaul, and a reconfiguration of U.S. military deployments in line with Trump’s new America First foreign policy.

While changes in civilian leadership are common with each administration, the uniformed members of the U.S. armed forces remain apolitical, serving under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

General Brown, who took on the role of the highest-ranking military officer in October 2023, was anticipated to serve until September 2027. Trump did not provide reasons for Brown’s dismissal or clarify whether he would continue in his role until a Senate confirmation for his successor.

“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family,” Trump stated. Reuters was the first to report on the incoming Trump administration’s plans for these extensive personnel changes, including Brown’s removal.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed skepticism about Brown prior to assuming leadership of the Defense Department, where he aims to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military. In his latest book, Hegseth questioned whether Brown’s appointment was influenced by his race rather than his qualifications. He wrote, “Was it because of his skin color? Or his skill? We’ll never know, but always doubt—which on its face seems unfair to CQ.

But since he has made the race card one of his biggest calling cards, it doesn’t really much matter,” in his 2024 publication, “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.”

Brown, a former fighter pilot and the second Black officer to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shared his personal experiences in a poignant video released after George Floyd’s death in 2020. He was traveling for official duties when Trump announced his appointment.

Just hours before the announcement, Brown’s official X account featured images of him engaging with troops stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border. In a post on X, he stated, “Border Security has always been critical to the defense of our homeland. As we navigate unprecedented security challenges… we will ensure our troops at the border have everything they need.” A spokesperson for Brown has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.