Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan Terminated by Acting Secretary Huffman Over Border Security, Recruitment, and DEI Focus

Jan 21, 2025, 06:36 PM

Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. military, has been terminated from her position as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman. The decision was made due to concerns about border security, recruitment, and an 'erosion of trust' within the service. Fagan, who assumed the role in June 2022, was criticized for leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and an inability to advance the strategic objectives of the Coast Guard. These issues included insufficient leadership in recruitment and retention, ineffective deployment of Coast Guard assets to support national border security, mismanagement of key acquisitions such as icebreakers and helicopters, and an excessive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Additionally, there was criticism over her handling of Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy. Fagan oversaw 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserve, and 8,700 civilian personnel, as well as 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. Vice Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday has been appointed to serve as acting commandant until a permanent replacement is confirmed by the Senate.