Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown has been removed as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with President Donald Trump replacing him with Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, a leader known for his strategic approach to national security. The decision follows backlash over Brown’s focus on diversity quotas and social policies in the Air Force.
Trump announced Brown’s departure Friday, thanking him for his service but stressing the need for military leadership that prioritizes operational strength. Brown, who was appointed by Joe Biden, had advanced DEI efforts that sought to reshape the racial makeup of the Air Force’s officer ranks by decreasing white male applicants.
BREAKING: Trump just replaced Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles “CQ” Brown.
Dan Caine has been selected to replace him.
Woke is being removed from the military! pic.twitter.com/QuHawygLfj
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 22, 2025
Under Brown’s tenure, recruitment policies were adjusted to lower the percentage of white male candidates in favor of diversity-driven initiatives. Critics argued that this weakened the military’s focus on excellence and combat effectiveness.
JUST IN: General Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters he plans to stay in his position.
Brown is obsessed with race-based diversity quotas. He signed a memo stating his "goal" is to reduce the number of White Males in the Air Force.
This man… pic.twitter.com/nxtpMrB7HV
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 20, 2025
Brown also gained attention for a video he released during the George Floyd riots, where he expressed personal emotions about the protests. His leadership saw the controversial firing of former Space Force officer Matthew Lohmeier after Lohmeier raised concerns about leftist ideologies spreading within the armed forces.
For all the leftists and politicized military pundits lamenting the dismissal of General Charles Q. Brown, where was your wailing about national security when Barack Hussein Obama fired nearly 200 Generals in five years? General Brown was released because he felt it more…
— Allen West (@AllenWest) February 22, 2025
Lt. Gen. Caine, Brown’s replacement, played a pivotal role in eliminating ISIS during President Donald Trump’s first term. His appointment signals a shift back to prioritizing military strength. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also been instructed to continue reviewing top military leadership, with more changes expected.
