The president’s government Donald Trump removed Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead one of the six branches of the Armed Forces, as head of the Coast Guard. USA.
“He has served a long and illustrious career, and I thank him for his service to our nation,” assured the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Benjamin Huffman, in a message addressed to the Coast Guard this Tuesday.
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However, a senior official of the DHSon which that military arm depends, was much more critical, ensuring that Fagan was dismissed “due to his leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the Guardia Coastal”.
The admiral failed to address threats to border security, mismanaged acquisitions, including helicoptersand placed “excessive attention” on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the official said on condition of anonymity.
There was also a “erosion of trust” in the Coast Guard due to his handling of an investigation into sexual assault allegations, according to that source.
“The failure to adequately address the systemic issues exposed by this investigation has highlighted a leadership culture unwilling to ensure accountability and responsibility.” transparency“added the official.
Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly criticized government programs aimed at encouraging diversity in the military field, mainly.
Pete Hegseththe one designated by the Republican president to lead the Department of Defense, It was advanced last week that the positions of the senior officers of the Armed Forces “will be reviewed based on meritocracy, standards, lethality and commitment to legal orders.”
Border security, in addition, is another priority for Trumpwho on Monday, on the first day of his new mandate, declared a state of “national emergency” on the border with Mexico to reinforce controls in the area.
Fagan led the Coast Guard since 2022 and had held positions such as vice commander of the force.
“It served on all continents, from the snows of the island of Rossin the Antarcticaeven in the heart of Africafrom Tokyo to Geneva, and in many ports along the way”, highlights an archived version of his biography, which is no longer available on the website of the Coast Guard.