Coast Guard’s Top Female Leader Fired [WATCH]

The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Adm. Linda Lee Fagan, has been terminated due to concerns regarding border security, recruitment challenges, and an “erosion of trust,” a senior official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News.

BREAKING: The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Linda Fagan, has been terminated over her failure to address border security and her excessive focus on DEI – FOX pic.twitter.com/xjcaRv0wij

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The decision was made by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman.

Adm. Fagan, 61, has faced criticism for leadership deficiencies and operational shortcomings during her tenure.

These included failures to address border security threats effectively, insufficient progress in recruitment and retention efforts, and mismanagement of key acquisitions, such as icebreakers and helicopters.

Additionally, Fagan was accused of prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over operational essentials.

Her handling of the Coast Guard’s internal sexual assault investigation, known as Operation Fouled Anchor, was cited as a major factor in the loss of trust.

Under Adm. Fagan’s leadership, the Coast Guard faced scrutiny for its inability to adequately support national border security.

This included the ineffective deployment of assets to intercept fentanyl and other illicit substances along maritime borders. According to the DHS official, Fagan’s coordination with DHS to prioritize border operations was insufficient.

Fagan also struggled with personnel recruitment and retention, critical issues for maintaining operational readiness.

The official noted a lack of innovative strategies to address these challenges, particularly in specialized areas, which weakened the Coast Guard’s workforce sustainability.

Significant delays and cost overruns in acquiring essential platforms, such as icebreakers and helicopters, further undermined Coast Guard capabilities in strategic regions like the Arctic.

These challenges, which began during the Trump administration, continued under Fagan’s tenure. The DHS official highlighted her failure to hold personnel accountable for acquisition setbacks.

Fagan placed significant emphasis on DEI policies, including at the Coast Guard Academy, a move that critics say diverted attention and resources from operational priorities.

BREAKING.

Adm. Linda Lee Fagan, the Coast Guard commandant, has been terminated for putting DEI ahead of national securitypic.twitter.com/SOsOpIyqps

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 21, 2025

While DEI programs aimed to address inclusion and equity within the service, some officials argued that this focus came at the expense of mission-critical activities.

Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy from 2014 to 2019, remained undisclosed to the public until 2023.

The mishandling and cover-up of the investigation deeply damaged trust in the Coast Guard among the public, Congress, and the military.

Fagan faced intense questioning during a congressional hearing over the summer regarding the lack of accountability for those involved in the cover-up.

Lawmakers also criticized her for withholding additional documents requested during the investigation.

According to the DHS official, Fagan’s failure to address systemic issues and promote accountability contributed to her dismissal.

Adm. Fagan was appointed as the 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard on June 1, 2022, becoming the first woman to lead the Coast Guard or any branch of the U.S. military.

Her responsibilities included overseeing global Coast Guard operations and managing a workforce of 42,000 active-duty personnel, 7,000 reservists, 8,700 civilian employees, and 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers.

Despite her historic appointment, her tenure was marked by controversies and challenges that ultimately led to her termination.

The DHS official emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes operational effectiveness, accountability, and public trust in the Coast Guard’s mission.

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