Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield has been removed from her post by the Trump administration. The firing is part of a wider effort to purge senior military leaders.
Chatfield served as the U.S. military’s representative to NATO. She previously led the Naval War College and served as a Navy pilot. The Pentagon has not released a reason for her dismissal.
Last week, Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, the director of the NSA, was also fired. Other recent firings include Gen. CQ Brown, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown’s firing, like Chatfield’s, came without official explanation.
Sen. Jack Reed, a top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the move “disgraceful.” Reed also criticized Republican lawmakers for remaining silent.
“In less than three months, President Trump has fired 10 generals and admirals,” Reed said. “This includes some of our most experienced leaders.”
The Senate unanimously confirmed Chatfield to her NATO post in December 2023. Reuters first reported her dismissal.
The Trump administration has also fired two other high-ranking female admirals — Linda Fagan of the Coast Guard and Lisa Franchetti of the Navy.
In January, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the removal of diversity programs. He called them divisive at a Pentagon town hall, saying, “Our strength is our unity.”
About 32% of active-duty troops identify as part of a racial minority. Women make up over 17% of the armed forces.
Critics see the firings as politically motivated. Supporters say they are aimed at restoring military focus.
Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield’s dismissal has added new urgency to the debate over military leadership, unity, and representation.
Source: USA Today
