(Source: Reuters) — Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, the first female uniformed leader of a U.S. armed forces branch, has been fired by the Trump administration, according to U.S. officials. Fagan’s dismissal, confirmed by Fox News and later reported by Reuters, comes amid ongoing tensions over her leadership priorities, with reports suggesting that her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives may have clashed with the Trump administration’s priorities on border security.
American Coast Guard admiral
The firing was reportedly carried out by Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman, who allegedly cited concerns over Fagan’s approach to border security, recruitment challenges, and an overemphasis on DEI programs. Sources also mentioned issues with the Coast Guard’s management of acquisitions and insufficient action on immigration policy implementation. Other critics determined she had been let go due to “leadership deficiencies” and “Operational failures”
Although the U.S. Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security, not the Pentagon, the branch’s primary mission is to enforce U.S. laws, ensure the safety and security of waterways, and respond to emergencies at sea. Immigration enforcement, however, is not part of its core duties. The Coast Guard’s responsibility in immigration matters typically involves detaining migrants found at sea and turning them over to immigration authorities.
Elon Musk, a key adviser to the administration, expressed support for the dismissal in a post on social media platform X, criticizing federal DEI initiatives and emphasizing that border security must take priority. Musk, who leads the administration’s efforts to reduce government spending, has been vocal in his opposition to diversity programs, calling them a “waste of resources.”
Fagan, nominated by former President Joe Biden in 2021, became the first female to hold the rank of Commandant in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. At the time of her nomination, Biden praised her leadership, calling her “integrity second to none.” However, her tenure was reportedly marred by ongoing political tensions, particularly surrounding her emphasis on diversity and inclusion programs at the helm of the Coast Guard.
The White House and Department of Homeland Security have not yet commented on the firing, and the Coast Guard could not be reached for a statement. As of now, the exact reasons for Fagan’s dismissal remain unclear, though the move signals a potential shift in the administration’s approach to leadership within military and law enforcement agencies.
