U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first female uniformed leader of an Armed Forces branch in U.S. history, was ousted by the Trump administration with no explanation late Monday.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman relieved Fagan of her duties as Coast Guard commandant, noting she “served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation,” according to a message sent to all Coast Guard members Tuesday.
Adm. Kevin Lunday, the former vice commandant of the Coast Guard, will take over as acting commandant, the statement notes, offering no other details of the switch.
An online biography on Fagan was unavailable Tuesday morning, and the Coast Guard’s official website listing the service’s senior leadership showed a blank space under “Commandant.”
Fagan, also the Coast Guard’s first female four-star admiral, had served as the military branch’s 27th commandant since June 1, 2022.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, has said eliminating diversity and equity efforts in the military will be a top priority if he’s confirmed.
