The Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, the first female uniformed leader of an armed forces branch, has been dismissed by the Trump administration. Fagan, who served as the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, has been relieved of her duties.
In 2021, Fagan assumed the leadership of the Coast Guard, a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces tasked with maritime security. Her appointment marked a significant milestone as she became the first female uniformed leader in the history of the Coast Guard.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman announced on the Coast Guard’s website that Fagan’s long and distinguished career has come to an end as she has been relieved of her duties.
According to a senior Department of Homeland Security official, Huffman fired Fagan due to his “leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
According to an anonymous official, Fagan’s emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies was seen as excessive.
Fagan and the Coast Guard could not be reached for comment at the moment.
Trump has made a commitment to eradicate DEI programs within federal government agencies. These programs aimed to enhance diversity within the armed forces, ensuring that they more accurately represent the American population they serve and safeguard.
The Coast Guard has come under scrutiny in the past for not only sexual assault complaints but also allegations of racism and hazing.
The Coast Guard, although an armed service, operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, rather than the Pentagon.
Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen criticized the decision to remove Fagan, stating that it was “misguided and will have a negative impact on readiness.”
Larsen expressed his concern for the U.S. Coast Guard personnel, stating that they deserve better than hasty personnel decisions.
The Coast Guard has faced criticism for its handling of sexual assault cases, following allegations of a cover-up of decades of abuse and a Senate subcommittee’s findings that it inadequately supported victims and failed to address the actions of those responsible.
More than a dozen ex-employees of the company shared their experiences.
Last year, a group of students who claimed to be victims of sexual assault filed complaints seeking $130 million in damages. These students accused the school of neglecting its responsibility to address and prevent sexual violence.
Elon Musk, an advisor to Trump who is spearheading the administration’s cost-cutting initiatives, hinted at efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in a recent social media post. However, he did not explicitly confirm Fagan’s termination.
Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, expressed his dissatisfaction with diverting funds from the U.S. military and border security to support racially and sexually biased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Sign up here.
Reported by Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Doina Chiacu, and Susan Heavey, the article has been edited by Peter Graff, Rod Nickel, Deepa Babington, and Shri Navaratnam.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. (opens new tab)
I am a national security correspondent based in Washington D.C., specializing in reporting on the Pentagon. My focus is on providing updates on U.S. military activities and operations around the globe and analyzing their impact. Over the course of my career, I have reported from numerous countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and various locations across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, I bring a global perspective to my reporting.
Phil Stewart, an award-winning Washington-based national security reporter, has reported from over 60 countries, including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Sudan. He has made appearances on NPR, PBS NewsHour, Fox News, and other programs, and has moderated national security events, such as those at the Reagan National Defense Forum and the German Marshall Fund. Phil is also the recipient of the Edwin M. Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence and the Joe Galloway Award.