Ex-US defence chiefs urge congressional hearings on Trump’s military firings

Trump’s first defence secretary James Mattis among five to express alarm at ‘reckless’ dismissals of top military figures
Five former US defence secretaries have demanded congressional hearings on Donald Trump’s firings of several military commanders, including the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, saying it was done for “purely partisan reasons” and weakens national security.
The five – including James Mattis, who served as defence secretary during Trump’s first presidency – wrote in a letter that they were “deeply alarmed” by the dismissals, which they said were “reckless” and unjustified by operational reason.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Mattis joins ex-Pentagon chiefs in call for hearings on 'reckless' Trump military firings
Five former Defense secretaries have called on Congress to immediately hold hearings on President Trump’s “reckless” firing of senior military leaders, including the chair of the Joint Chiefs of ...The Hill - 5h -
Trump Urged to Halt Firings at the FAA
After a string of deadly plane crashes, lawmakers and union members are urging the president to protect the transportation department from further personnel cuts.The New York Times - Feb. 20 -
Booker says firing Joint Chiefs chairman sends 'dangerous message' to the military
Booker says firing Joint Chiefs chairman sends a ‘dangerous message’ to the military on political loyalty.NBC News - 5d -
Federal workers urge congressional lawmakers to reverse job cuts
The newly-formed Fork Off Coalition, composed of recently laid off government employees, represents an alphabet soup of agencies with various levels of tenure.CBS News - 2d -
Trump fires CQ Brown as Joint Chiefs chairman
President Donald Trump announced he had fired Gen. C.Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and planned to replace him with Air Force lieutenant general.ABC News - 5d -
The impact of Trump firing the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
President Trump announced on Friday that he will replace Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other senior Defense Department officials were also ousted. CBS News senior ...CBS News - 5d -
Trump fires top US military officer in Pentagon shake-up
President removes CQ Brown and other senior leaders who he blames for pushing diversity, equity and inclusion policiesFinancial Times - 6d -
Trump fires nation’s top-ranking military officer in latest job cuts
President Donald Trump fired the nation’s top-ranking military officer, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. CQ Brown Jr. It’s the first of many more job cuts expected with thousands of ...NBC News - 6d -
Trump fires top-ranking military officer in an unprecedented move
President Trump fired Four Star Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S. Trump said he will nominate Three Star Air Force Let. Gen. Dan Caine as the replacement. ...CBS News - 5d -
Hegseth: Fired military lawyers were potential 'roadblocks' to Trump orders
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the three fired judge advocates general (JAGs) were potential “roadblocks” to President Trump’s orders. "It's not about roadblocks to an agenda,” ...The Hill - 4d -
Keir Starmer urged to ramp up defence spending – UK politics live
This is ‘probably one of the most alarming times for Britain’s defence since the second world war’, says Lib Dem leader Ed Davey as he calls for more spending. The Democratic Unionist Party has ...The Guardian - Feb. 21 -
Trump fires Black joint chiefs chair Hegseth accused of promoting diversity
US secretary of defense had questioned whether history-making air force general CQ Brown Jr got job because of race. Donald Trump abruptly fired the air force general CQ Brown Jr as chair of the ...The Guardian - 6d -
Trump fires Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown
Trump said he plans to nominate Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine of the U.S. Air Force to replace Gen. CQ Brown as the nation’s top-ranking military officer.NBC News - 6d -
Trump fires chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown
President Donald Trump fired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown Jr., the country's highest-ranking military officer, from his position. This comes amid a wave of administration changes under ...NBC News - 6d -
Trump fires Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
President Trump said he is nominating Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.CBS News - 6d -
Trump Fires Joint Chiefs Chairman Amid Flurry of Dismissals at Pentagon
The decision to fire Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a four-star fighter pilot, upends a tradition in which the Joint Chiefs chairman traditionally remains in place as administrations change.The New York Times - 6d -
Watch live: Congressional Hispanic Caucus speaks on Trump's first month in office
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is set to hold a press conference Wednesday morning that will focus on President Trump's first month back in the White House. Their remarks, led by CHC chair ...The Hill - 2d -
Hegseth fires several top military attorneys
Major changes are happening at the Pentagon after a string of firings over the weekend. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired some of the military's top lawyers, cutting the judge advocates general ...CBS News - 3d -
Sununu urges Zelensky to 'be careful' not to anger Trump
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent interview to “be careful” not to anger President Trump. His warning comes as the two ...The Hill - 6d -
Labour cannot ignore Trump’s impact on defence
The tough choices the government needs to make will inevitably mean talking about defence spending in the openFinancial Times - 3d -
What will Starmer’s defence spending buy from Trump?
Plus: Amol & Nick talk tactics over PM-President meets & remember past awkward encounters.BBC News - 1d -
Los Angeles mayor removes fire department chief
Mayor Karen Bass has removed Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley after weeks of a public rift. Bass has criticized Crowley for a lack of preparation and mishandling the city's ...CBS News - 6d -
Firing of Joint Chiefs Chairman and Others Draws Criticism
Democratic lawmakers and retired military officers expressed concern about the politicization of the military under President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.The New York Times - 6d -
Hegseth Fires Military’s Top JAG Lawyers in Pursuit of ‘Warrior Ethos’
The defense secretary has repeatedly derided the military lawyers for war crime prosecutions and battlefield rules of engagement.The New York Times - 5d -
Developing world urges rich nations to defy Trump’s ‘climate nihilism’
Poorer countries want rapid emission cuts and more financial help in face of US leader’s stance on global heating. Developing countries are calling on the rich world to defy the US president, ...The Guardian - Feb. 19 -
Frustrated Democrats Urge Leaders to Show More Fight Against Trump
Voters, activists and even some governors, like Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, are growing exasperated with congressional Democrats’ restrained approach.The New York Times - 6d -
Microsoft urges Trump to rethink AI chip export controls
Company president Brad Smith warns the new rules will force American allies to buy Chinese productsFinancial Times - 1d -
Trump Labor Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer Faces Pressure at Senate Hearing
Asked for her views on pro-labor legislation she backed as a House Republican, Lori Chavez-DeRemer said she would simply serve the president’s agenda.The New York Times - Feb. 19 -
James Landale: Will Starmer's defence hike win over Trump?
The prime minister has set out plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027.BBC News - 3d -
Starmer prepares to meet Trump after raising defence spending
The PM will head to Washington a day after announcing military budgets would rise to 2.5% of national income by 2027.BBC News - 2d -
Trump Plans to Use Military Bases to Detain Migrants
Also, archaeologists found a pharaoh’s tomb. Here’s the latest at the end of Friday.The New York Times - Feb. 21 -
Trump shakes up top military leadership
Late Friday night, President Trump fired General Charles "C.Q." Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for the firing last year due to Brown's ...CBS News - 6d -
Trump eases rules on military raids and airstrikes
The increase in the range of people who can be targeted by the U.S. military dismantles Biden-era mandates that included more safeguards.CBS News - 1d -
Los Angeles removes fire chief in wake of massive wildfires
Los Angeles Fire Chef Kristin Crowley has been removed from her position by Mayor Karen Bass after wildfires that killed dozens and destroyed hundreds of homes.ABC News - 6d -
LA mayor removes fire chief amid tensions over deadly wildfires
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) has removed the city’s fire chief, Kristin Crowley, amid ongoing tensions over the handling of and response to the region's deadly January wildfires. Crowley was ...The Hill - Feb. 21 -
Los Angeles Mayor removes fire chief over wildfires handling
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has removed Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and alleged that her response to the wildfires that devoured parts of Los Angeles County was mishandled. CBS News' ...CBS News - Feb. 21 -
Supreme Court declines to intervene for now in bid to fire whistleblower office chief
President Trump removed Hampton Dellinger from his position as special counsel on Feb. 7, but a federal judge ordered him to be reinstated for a short period.CBS News - 6d -
Chiefs GM expects 'fired up' Kelce to play in '25
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Tuesday that he expects Travis Kelce to play in 2025 after his most recent conversation with the star tight end.ESPN - 3d
More from The Guardian
-
European leaders rush to back Zelenskyy after fiery meeting with Trump at White House – live
Press conference between US and Ukraine leaders cancelled and no minerals deal signed after angry scenes in White House; European leaders stand behind Zelenskyy. Ukraine ‘gambling with world war ...The Guardian - 17m -
Diplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader
US president said his horrific blow-up would make ‘great television’ – the White House has never seen anything like it. Don’t let a billionaire’s algorithm control what you read. Download our ...The Guardian - 2h -
‘Dummies for Putin’: Democrats defend Zelenskyy after ‘shameful’ Trump meeting
Ukrainian leader abruptly left White House after being publicly berated by US president in Russia ceasefire talks. US politics live – latest updates Democratic lawmakers rushed to defend ...The Guardian - 3h -
Trump administration retreats in fight against Russian cyber threats
Recent incidents indicate US is no longer characterizing Russia as a cybersecurity threat, marking a radical departure: ‘Putin is on the inside now’. Don’t let a billionaire’s algorithm control ...The Guardian - 5h -
Pope Francis suffers ‘breathing crisis’ making condition suddenly worse
Vatican says pontiff was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation, to which he responded well and remains alert. Pope Francis has suffered an “isolated breathing crisis” which caused him to ...The Guardian - 4h
More in World
-
Trump Administration Live Updates: Trump and Vance Berate Zelensky, Exposing Break Between Wartime Allies
The New York Times - 12m -
European leaders rush to back Zelenskyy after fiery meeting with Trump at White House – live
Press conference between US and Ukraine leaders cancelled and no minerals deal signed after angry scenes in White House; European leaders stand behind Zelenskyy. Ukraine ‘gambling with world war ...The Guardian - 17m -
Federal workers might get email requiring response after Trump and Musk praise efforts to investigate workforce – live
Employees may again be asked to explain recent accomplishments, AP reports, days after Musk argued the aim was to ‘pulse check’ US government. US aid cuts have forced the UN children’s agency ...The Guardian - 29m -
Asensio at the double again to see Aston Villa past Cardiff into FA Cup last eight
Two more goals from Marco Asensio enabled Aston Villa to reach the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time since they made it to the final in 2015.. Unai Emery’s team continue to blow hot and ...The Guardian - 1h -
Wall Street stocks steady at end of volatile month despite Trump tariff threats
S&P 500 rises 1.6% to trim February’s lossesFinancial Times - 1h