US Coast Guard Commandant Removed Over Leadership and Security Issues
Adm. Linda Lee Fagan was terminated as the Coast Guard Commandant due to leadership failures and security concerns, including issues related to border security and operational readiness.
Adm. Linda Lee Fagan, the former commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, was terminated from her position last month due to concerns related to border security, recruitment, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Reports indicate she was evicted from her admiral quarters home with only three hours of notice.
Fagan’s dismissal occurred on President Trump's second day in office, and she was given a 60-day waiver to find new housing. However, she was unexpectedly informed at 2 p.m. on Tuesday to vacate her home at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling in Washington, D.C.
A former military official stated that the short notice meant she was unable to retrieve many of her personal items and household goods. Following her eviction, she spent the night with friends.
According to sources, Homeland Security officials instructed acting commandant Kevin Lunday to ensure Fagan's departure from the residence. It remains unclear if this directive came directly from President Trump.
Fagan was the first woman to lead a military branch and was held accountable for various failures, including leadership deficiencies, operational lapses, and a lack of focus on border security. Concerns were raised about her management and response to issues like fentanyl trafficking and the important task of recruitment and retention.
Additionally, Fagan faced scrutiny over significant delays and cost overruns in acquiring essential operational platforms, such as icebreakers and helicopters. Critics claimed that her administration's focus on DEI initiatives diverted attention from operational priorities, and an internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy further damaged public trust.
Fagan has faced tough questions from lawmakers regarding accountability for the previous cover-up of incidents related to sexual assaults at the Academy, which persisted from 2014 until 2019. Her leadership has been characterized as lacking in transparency and accountability, marking her tenure as fraught with challenges.
As the 27th Commandant, Fagan oversaw all global operations of the Coast Guard and managed a comprehensive workforce comprising 42,000 active-duty members, 7,000 reservists, and 8,700 civilians, alongside 21,000 Auxiliary volunteers.
