McClellan Statement on Trump’s Firing of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump fired Air Force General Charles Q Brown, Jr. as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: 

“The American people have trusted the United States Armed Forces to protect them and our Constitution for 250 years. Our military leaders swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, not an oath to do the bidding of one man. 

“In his first term, President Trump bristled at a Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who sought to curb his worst instincts and put their oath of office above his petty whims. This term, President Trump seems determined to purge the best and the brightest from our military leadership unless they swear blind loyalty to him, even if it threatens our national security priorities and military readiness. That is not a meritocracy.

“After installing the least qualified Secretary of Defense to lead the Pentagon because of his blind loyalty, President Trump has unjustifiably fired General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. as Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Brown is a four-star general and former combat pilot who served in the Air Force for three decades, whom Trump himself called a ‘Patriot and Great Leader’ when nominating  him to be Air Force Chief of Staff in 2020. General Brown was confirmed by a 98-0 Senate vote for that position, and served admirably in both that role and as Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

“General Brown has devoted over 40 years of his life to serving the United States and advancing our national security priorities. He has played an integral role in our nation’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The first Black Chief of Staff for any military branch and only the second Black general to serve as Chairman to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Brown has brought invaluable expertise as the top military adviser to the President of the United States. 

“I have deep concerns about these short-sighted attempts to fire career officials and dismantle institutional expertise. Now more than ever, the United States should be taking every action to protect our national security and role as a global leader. This termination is antithetical to that need, jeopardizes our national security priorities, weakens our commitment to our global allies, and undermines our position as a leader in the ongoing effort to end several international conflicts.”