WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump fired top US military officer General Charles “CQ” Brown on Friday, part of a major shake-up of the armed forces’ leadership.

Trump offered no explanation for Brown’s dismissal less than two years into his four-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which followed sweeping layoffs of federal workers and moves to dismantle government institutions just a month into the president’s second term.

Brown had been nominated to the top military role by Democratic president Joe Biden and became only the second Black person to hold the position.

Trump thanked Brown for “his over 40 years of service to our country” in a post on his Truth Social platform, describing him as “a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader.”

Trump said he was nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine to replace Brown.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had advocated for Brown’s firing in a November podcast appearance, saying any top officers “involved in any of the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) woke shit has got to go,” but told journalists last month that he was “looking forward to working” with the general.

Following Trump’s announcement on Brown, Hegseth said he was seeking a replacement for Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as the top US Navy officer.

In another major Pentagon shakeup, Hegseth said he was seeking a replacement for Franchetti, the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations and on the JCS.

“I am... requesting nominations for the positions of chief of naval operations and Air Force vice chief of staff,” Hegseth said in a statement.

“The incumbents in these important roles, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, respectively, have had distinguished careers. We thank them for their service and dedication to our country,” he said, without providing an explanation for their departures.