The ouster of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, only the second Black general to serve as Joint Chiefs chairman, is sure to send shock waves through the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON — President Trump abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday night, sidelining a fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks.

Jim Mattis and four other former defense secretaries called President Donald Trump’s ouster of Gen. CQ Brown and other top officers dangerous and unjustified.

The decision to fire Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a four-star fighter pilot, broke a tradition in which the Joint Chiefs chairman remains in place with a new president.

Mark A. Milley, his predecessor, had been chief of staff of the Army. By law, an officer appointed as chairman of the Joint Chiefs must have served as a vice chairman or must have previously ...

A follow-up statement from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated a desire to replace other senior officials.

CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday ... his name began to surface as the likely successor to Gen. Mark Milley, who was set to retire as chairman.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown speaks during a ... his name began to surface as the likely successor to Gen. Mark Milley, who was set to retire as Joint Chiefs chairman.