Adm. Linda L. Fagan, the first female commandant of the Coast Guard, has been terminated, with sources suggesting her failure to address border security while simultaneously focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies was a significant reason for the firing.
U.S. Naval Institute News reviewed a message from the acting secretary of Homeland Security explaining that Fagan had been removed from her position.
“Under my statutory authority as the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security I have relieved Admiral Linda L. Fagan of her duties as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard,” the message reads. “She served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation.”
Fox News initially reported on Fagan’s firing, citing a senior DHS official who described an “erosion of trust” regarding Fagan’s tenure. The report also points to her “failure to address border security threats” and an “excessive focus on [DEI] initiatives.”
Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan was just terminated for prioritizing DEI ahead of border security. Goodbye! pic.twitter.com/v2sSOBq7ja
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 21, 2025
Our investigation revealed how USCG concealed Operation Fouled Anchor from Congress, failed to address both historic and persistent sexual misconduct at the USCG Academy, and neglected to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Accountability is here.
Fagan is highlighted on a “fact sheet” published by former President Joe Biden’s White House as an example of how the administration continues to “advance gender, equity, and equality at home and abroad.”
“President Biden has eliminated obstacles to women’s military service, including by advancing historic military justice reforms; updating military hair, dress, and fitness standards; and expanding parental leave policies,” the section referencing Fagan reads.
The United States Coast Guard’s mission statement is “to ensure our Nation’s maritime safety, security and stewardship.” There is no mention of hair or dress standards.
The Trump Administration is right to fire Commandant Fagan for the U.S. Coast Guard’s mishandling and cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor.
Our investigation revealed how USCG concealed Operation Fouled Anchor from Congress, failed to address both historic and persistent sexual…
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) January 21, 2025
Anticipated Trump Executive Orders on DEI, Gender Embrace ‘Return to Sanity,’ Common Sense
News of Adm. Linda Fagan’s firing comes within 24 hours of President Donald Trump returning to the White House. It also comes as the president signed a flurry of executive orders, one of which addresses “wasteful government DEI programs.”
In a list of the President’s top America First priorities, Trump’s White House states he will reform and improve the government bureaucracy to “work for the American people” in part by ending “the onslaught of useless and overpaid DEI activists buried into the federal workforce.”
He followed through on day one, signing an executive order that absolutely torched the Biden-era DEI initiatives.
On the first day, President Trump signed an executive order requiring within 60 days the end of all DEI and “environmental justice” programs and positions in federal departments. pic.twitter.com/hrDwRoiBV5
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 21, 2025
The order directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to “coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.”
Was Fagan one of these “overpaid DEI activists” in the Trump administration’s eyes?
The DHS official told Fox News that Fagan was also responsible for significant failures in recruiting personnel to the Coast Guard and struggled to secure essential resources without delays and cost overruns.
