Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Defense Secretary Hegseth removes four Army officers from promotion list — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed four Army officers from a one-star promotion list, including two Black officers and two women, overruling Army leaders who had cited their strong records. The New York Times reported the removals occurred despite positive evaluations from Army leadership.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth's chief of staff opposed promotion of Black female officer to Military District of Washington command — During a heated exchange in summer 2025, Ricky Buria, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff, chastised Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for selecting Major General Antoinette Gant, a combat engineer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, to command the Military District of Washington. Buria told Driscoll that Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer at military events. The Military District of Washington provides security and performs ceremonial duties in the nation's capital, and its commander often appears alongside the president at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked promotion of four Army officers to one-star general rank — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked the promotion of four Army officers to one-star general rank, a highly unusual move that prompted senior military officials to question whether the officers were being singled out based on race or gender. Two of the officers targeted are Black and two are women on a promotion list of approximately three dozen officers, most of whom are white men. Hegseth had pressed Army leaders, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, for months to remove the officers' names. Driscoll repeatedly refused, citing the officers' decades-long records of exemplary service. Hegseth unilaterally struck the officers' names from the list, though it is unclear whether he has legal authority to do so. The list was under White House review for Senate approval.
• Hegseth chief of staff told Army Secretary Trump would not stand next to Black female officer — During a heated exchange, Defense Secretary Hegseth's chief of staff Ricky Buria reportedly told Army Secretary Dan Driscoll that Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer at military events. The statement indicates that personnel decisions may be influenced by the President's racial preferences.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth blocked promotions of Black officers and women — The New York Times reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked four Army officers from receiving promotions to one-star generals: two Black officers and two women. The Times characterized the decision as "highly unusual" and noted that senior military officials have questioned whether the decision was rooted in racial and gender bias. The action represents potential discrimination in military advancement based on race and gender.

Supporting reports

• Trump fires Joint Chiefs chair — President Trump fired Air Force General CQ Brown Jr., the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as part of a campaign to remove military leaders who support diversity and equity initiatives. This decision follows criticism from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who questioned Brown's appointment based on his race. The firing is part of broader efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the military.
• Trump fires top military officials — President Donald Trump fired Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with the head of the Navy, the vice chief of the Air Force, and top military lawyers. This move, described as a "purge," was announced via social media and replaced Brown with retired three-star general Dan Caine. The firings are part of a broader pattern of consolidating power within the executive branch.