President Donald Trump has removed Admiral Linda Fagan from her position as the head of the U.S. Coast Guard, making headlines as the first woman to lead one of the six U.S. military branches. Fagan, who had held the position since 2022, was dismissed amid allegations of “leadership deficiencies” and operational failures, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the service.
A senior DHS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized Fagan’s tenure, pointing to issues such as her failure to address border security threats, mismanagement of key acquisitions like helicopters, and an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Additionally, the official highlighted a “failure to adequately address the systemic issues” exposed by an investigation into sexual assault allegations within the Coast Guard, which further eroded trust in the service’s leadership.
In a brief statement, Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman expressed gratitude for Fagan’s long career but emphasized the need for a new direction. “She served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service,” Huffman said.
Fagan’s dismissal comes as part of a broader effort by Trump to reshape key positions within the federal government. This move follows a similar pattern of swift personnel changes early in his second term, with Trump focusing on aligning leadership with his priorities, particularly regarding border security.
Fagan’s tenure as the first woman to lead one of the U.S. military branches had been seen as a historic milestone, but her removal marks a dramatic end to her leadership. It remains to be seen who will succeed her at the helm of the Coast Guard
