President Donald Trump has initiated a significant overhaul of the Pentagon’s leadership, resulting in the dismissal of several top military officials. On February 21, 2025, Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was removed from his position. Brown, who had served as chairman since 2023, was the second African American to hold this esteemed role. His tenure was marked by involvement in key operations, including the Ukraine conflict and Middle East engagements. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously criticized Brown, accusing him of advancing personal interests by "playing the race card" and failing to uphold traditional military values.
