Former President Donald Trump’s administration has removed Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch, from her position as the head of the Coast Guard.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard, has not yet issued a formal statement about her dismissal. Reports from Fox News suggest the decision stemmed from her handling of border security challenges, her emphasis on diversity and inclusion initiatives, and concerns about how the Coast Guard managed investigations into sexual assault cases.
Trump has consistently prioritized border security and expressed opposition to programs focusing on diversity and equity. On the first day of his new term, he declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, emphasizing its importance to his administration’s agenda.
In a message to the Coast Guard, Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman acknowledged Fagan’s contributions, stating, “She had a distinguished career, and we are grateful for her dedication to our nation.”
Admiral Fagan, who became the Coast Guard’s leader in 2022, had an impressive career that included serving as vice commandant and holding roles across all seven continents. Her contributions spanned from Antarctica’s Ross Island to key positions in Tokyo, Geneva, and Africa. However, her biography has since been removed from the Coast Guard’s official website.