President Donald Trump’s administration has dismissed Admiral Linda Fagan, who made history as the first woman to lead a United States military branch, from her position as Head of the Coast Guard.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for the Coast Guard, did not provide an immediate comment on Tuesday regarding Fagan’s dismissal.
According to a senior official, reasons for her removal included her inadequacy in handling border security threats, an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a perceived decline in trust due to the Coast Guard’s investigation into sexual assault incidents.
Trump and other Republicans have consistently opposed government initiatives that promote diversity while securing the borders remains a significant focus for the president, who declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border on the first day of his new term.
“Her long and distinguished service to our country is greatly appreciated,” said acting DHS secretary Benjamine Huffman in a message directed to the Coast Guard, one of the five branches of the U.S. military.
Fagan had been at the helm of the Coast Guard since 2022 and had previously served in roles such as vice commandant of the service.
According to an archived version of her biography, which is no longer accessible on the Coast Guard’s website, she “served on all seven continents, from the icy terrains of Ross Island, Antarctica, to the central regions of Africa, from Tokyo to Geneva, and in numerous ports along the way.”
