President Donald Trump has dismissed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown, and appointed Air Force General Dan Kane as his successor.
Trump announced the decision via Truth Social, thanking Brown for his 40 years of service and highlighting Kane’s expertise in national security, aviation, and special operations.
The move is part of a broader effort to reshape military leadership, as Trump consolidates authority in his second term.
According to the Associated Press, the appointment of Kane signals a strategic shift in military focus from Middle Eastern conflicts to potential confrontations with China.
Brown had been unanimously confirmed by the Senate (98-0) and was widely regarded as a key figure in modernizing US military strategy.
The shake-up comes as the Pentagon prepares for an 8% budget cut over the next five years, amounting to $50 billion annually.
These funds will be redirected to support Trump’s defense priorities, including expanded drone programs, submarine development, and counter-China initiatives.
Reports from CNN indicate that the cuts could result in thousands of job losses at the Pentagon and the elimination of existing weapons programs.
Defense officials have been directed to compile a list of affected personnel and initiatives as part of a government-wide efficiency drive led by Elon Musk’s Commission on Government Efficiency, a task force appointed by Trump to streamline federal operations.
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