President Donald Trump’s administration has dismissed Admiral Linda Fagan, who made history as the first woman to head a U.S. military service, from her position as the head of the Coast Guard.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which supervises the Coast Guard, did not provide an immediate comment on Fagan’s removal on Tuesday.
According to Fox News, a senior official cited several reasons for the decision, including Fagan’s failure to address border security concerns, an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a loss of confidence in her leadership due to the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual assault investigations.
Trump, along with many Republicans, has consistently criticized diversity initiatives within government programs, while prioritizing border security, which was underscored by his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border on the first day of his new term.
Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman acknowledged Fagan’s long service in a message to the Coast Guard, one of the five military branches of the United States.
Fagan, who had led the Coast Guard since 2022, previously served as the vice commandant.
Her career spanned all seven continents, from the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the heart of Africa, and from Tokyo to Geneva, with numerous ports visited in between, according to her now-archived biography.
