The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has been dismissed from her position due to issues related to border security, difficulties in recruitment, and a noted decline in trust, as confirmed by a senior official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Fox News.
Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, aged 61, was removed from her role by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman, according to the official.
The official indicated that Fagan’s leadership was characterized by deficiencies, operational shortcomings, and a failure to meet the strategic goals of the Coast Guard, as reported by Fox News.
Specific concerns included her inability to effectively tackle border security threats, inadequate leadership in recruitment and retention initiatives, poor management in the procurement of essential assets such as icebreakers and helicopters, an excessive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and a decline in trust linked to the mishandling and alleged cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor, which investigated sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy.
Fagan is accused of not deploying Coast Guard resources effectively to bolster national border security, particularly in operations aimed at intercepting fentanyl and other illegal substances. Additionally, she reportedly failed to coordinate adequately with the DHS to prioritize maritime border operations.
The DHS official noted that Fagan’s time in office was marked by significant recruitment failures, which worsened operational readiness issues. The absence of innovative approaches to address retention challenges in critical areas further compromised workforce sustainability.
Under her command, there were ongoing delays and budget overruns in the acquisition of vital assets, such as icebreakers and helicopters, which the official stated weakened the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities in the Arctic and other key regions. These procurement issues, previously highlighted during President Trump’s first term, lacked sufficient accountability, according to the official.
Fagan placed significant emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including those at the Coast Guard Academy. However, the official contended that these efforts diverted essential resources and attention from operational priorities. The concealment of sexual assault incidents at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, uncovered through Operation Fouled Anchor, has severely diminished public trust in the Coast Guard among the American populace, Congress, and military personnel. Although the investigation took place from 2014 to 2019, the Coast Guard did not reveal its existence until 2023.
During a Capitol Hill hearing this summer, Fagan faced considerable scrutiny from senators. She was criticized for her failure to hold anyone accountable for the cover-up and for not providing additional documents requested by lawmakers concerning the mishandling of the situation at the academy, as reported by Fox. A Department of Homeland Security official indicated that the Coast Guard’s inadequate response to the systemic issues highlighted by the investigation reflects a “leadership culture” that is reluctant to ensure accountability and transparency in protecting its service members, according to service officials cited by Fox.
Admiral Linda Lee Fagan commenced her role as the 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard on June 1, 2022. In this capacity, she managed all global Coast Guard operations, overseeing 42,000 active-duty personnel, 7,000 reservists, 8,700 civilian employees, and the support of 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. Fagan made history as the first woman to lead the Coast Guard or any branch of the U.S. military.
In the meantime, the new Department of Homeland Security under Trump is expected to concentrate on fulfilling his campaign promise of mass deportations, following the Biden-Harris administration’s allowance of over 10 million individuals to enter the country illegally.
Incoming border czar and seasoned immigration enforcer Tom Homan initially intended to commence operations in Chicago. However, during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Monday, he revealed that those plans had been altered due to concerns for the safety of ICE agents following a recent leak of information.
In a subsequent interview with Fox News anchor Jesse Watters on Friday night, Homan provided further insights into the immigration enforcement strategies of the Trump administration. He asserted that ICE would finally be empowered to fulfill its duties by deporting millions of undocumented immigrants.
When Watters inquired about reports suggesting a nationwide raid, Homan not only committed to initiating deportations from day one but also emphasized that ICE has been instructed to enforce immigration laws “without apology.”
