Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman has terminated Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Lee Fagan, citing concerns related to border security, recruitment challenges, and an "erosion of trust," a senior DHS official confirmed to Fox News. The 61-year-old admiral's dismissal stems from alleged leadership deficiencies and operational failures hindering the Coast Guard's strategic goals.

Among the issues cited are inadequate responses to border security threats, including fentanyl interdiction efforts and collaboration with DHS on maritime border operations. Fagan is also accused of failing to effectively address recruitment and retention challenges, impacting operational readiness and the sustainability of the Coast Guard's workforce, particularly in specialized roles. Further concerns involve delays and cost overruns in acquiring crucial equipment like icebreakers and helicopters, impacting the Coast Guard's capabilities in key areas such as the Arctic.

The DHS official also pointed to an excessive emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which allegedly diverted resources from core operational needs. Additionally, Fagan's handling of Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy, is criticized for contributing to an erosion of public and congressional trust. The Coast Guard's delayed disclosure of the investigation, which spanned from 2014 to 2019, and Fagan's subsequent testimony before Congress regarding the matter, further fueled these concerns.

The official highlighted a perceived lack of accountability and transparency within the Coast Guard's leadership culture regarding the protection of service members. Fagan's tenure as the 27th Commandant, which began in June 2022, involved overseeing a vast workforce of active duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary personnel, and marked a historic first as the first woman to lead any branch of the U.S. military.