Trump administration fires Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan
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Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan was ousted by the Trump administration on Tuesday, President Trump’s first day in office. In 2022, Fagan became the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. military.
Fagan was relieved of his duties on Monday night Information for all employees Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman.
“In accordance with my statutory authority as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, I have relieved Adm. Linda L. Fagan of her duties as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard,” the brief message read in part. “She has had a long and glorious career. career, and I’m grateful for her contributions to our country.”
The Coast Guard Commandant’s term is four years, and Fagan has served for two years.
A senior Department of Homeland Security official said in a statement that Fagan was fired “due to her leadership shortcomings, operational failures and inability to advance the U.S. Coast Guard’s strategic objectives.”
The official specifically cited her failure to address border security threats, citing “insufficient coordination” with the Department of Homeland Security on maritime border operations and “inadequate deployment of Coast Guard assets” to support the interdiction of fentanyl and other illicit substances.
The official also pointed to “significant deficiencies” in hiring and mismanagement, including “lack of accountability for failed acquisitions that was highlighted during the Trump 45 administration.”
As secretary of defense, Fagan worked to strengthen recruitment and retention at a time when the U.S. Armed Forces’ numbers were shrinking. last year, According to CBS NewsFor the first time since 2007, the U.S. Coast Guard met its recruiting goals for active duty, reservists and commissioned officers.
Hagan was also criticized by the official for saying “an excessive focus on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, including at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, diverts resources and attention away from operational priorities.”
It follows news that Fagan is committed to rebuilding trust within the halls of Congress and within the agency. Coast Guard mishandled Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Allegations. But the official said there was a “failure to adequately address systemic issues” and accused Fagan of a “leadership culture unwilling to ensure accountability and transparency to protect service members.”
Adm. Kevin Lundy, the commanding general of the Navy, has been named acting commander of the Coast Guard, according to Hoffman’s note. Lundy became deputy commander last June.
The Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, has faced budget constraints from multiple administrations. Several new commanders, including Fagan, have urged lawmakers to fund the construction of new ships and repairs of older ones to assist the service’s expanded global role in maintaining national security. Last year, the Coast Guard officially welcomed its first polar icebreaker in 25 years.
Trump adviser Elon Musk, who is charged with leading the new administration’s federal cost-cutting efforts, did not explicitly confirm Fagan’s termination, but Write an X in response to this message “It is no longer acceptable to spend money on racist/sexist DEI nonsense in order to undermine U.S. military and border security.”
fox news The first to report the news of Fagan’s ouster.
contributed to this report.
