Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Firing of Joint Chiefs Chairman Charles Q. Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement in response to the announcement that President Donald Trump fired General Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

“I am appalled by President Trump’s decision to fire the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr. General Brown has honorably served our nation for over forty years, including as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, a position President Trump nominated him to in 2020. The Pentagon is already in chaos because of Secretary Hegseth’s erratic behavior, his outrageous remarks personally attacking General Brown’s exemplary record of service, and the impending purge of civilian employees by unelected billionaire Elon Musk and DOGE. All of this comes at a time when the Chinese Navy is now conducting live fire exercises off the coast of one of our most important allies, Australia. This decision to fire General Brown projects nothing but instability from President Trump and from the United States. I hope my Republican colleagues in Congress will speak out strongly against this shameful decision.”