President Donald Trump’s administration has removed Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a US military service, from her position as head of the Coast Guard.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard, has not yet commented on the dismissal. However, Fox News cited a senior official who attributed the decision to Fagan’s alleged failure to address border security threats, an excessive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a perceived “erosion of trust” stemming from the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual assault investigations.
Trump, who has prioritized border security and expressed criticism of diversity programs, declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border on Monday, his first day of his new term.
In a message to the Coast Guard, acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman acknowledged Fagan’s service, stating, “She served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation.”
Admiral Fagan had led the Coast Guard since 2022 and previously served as its vice commandant. Her distinguished career included assignments across all seven continents, from Antarctica’s Ross Island to Africa, Tokyo, and Geneva. Her biography, which highlighted her accomplishments, is no longer available on the Coast Guard website