President Donald Trump fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant move in a campaign targeting military leaders supporting diversity and equity. Brown, the second Black general to serve as chairman, faced backlash for his public support of Black Lives Matter. His ouster, alongside the firings of other senior officers like Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife, reflects a broader shake-up at the Pentagon.

Trump nominated retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor, despite Caine not having key prerequisites for the role. The decision to remove Brown, who had addressed racial issues within the military and faced prior delays in his confirmation, has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders as an attempt to politicize the military.

The firing of Brown follows a pattern of Trump asserting executive authority and appointing officials aligned with his priorities. Despite initial meetings and support for Brown among key congressional members, his removal underscores a shift within the military leadership. Brown’s tenure as chairman made history as the first time both the defense secretary and the Joint Chiefs chairman were Black, highlighting the ongoing challenges of diversity and representation within the armed forces.