Admiral Linda Fagan, the first military officer removed under the Trump administration, has been replaced as U.S. Coast Guard commandant.
Fagan, who assumed the role in June 2022, was succeeded by Adm. Kevin Lunday, previously vice commandant since mid-2024.
The removal of Fagan came on the first day of President Donald Trump’s administration, although the full reasons for her dismissal remain unclear.
Media reports suggest her removal may be linked to issues surrounding ineffective asset deployment for border security, particularly drug interdiction efforts, and concerns over her focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which some argue diverted attention from military needs, such as acquiring critical assets like helicopters and icebreakers.
Fagan’s tenure included roles as Captain of the Port for Sector New York and Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s First District.
In a statement, Benjamin Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, praised her “long and illustrious career” but did not address the specifics of her removal.