TERMINATED! Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth Delivers Shocking News
In a bold step toward restoring merit-based leadership in the U.S. military, the Trump administration has removed Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, a top NATO representative, as part of its sweeping campaign to eliminate divisive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from the Pentagon.
Chatfield, a high-ranking officer who previously served as the first female president of the Naval War College, was dismissed over the weekend, reportedly without formal cause. Though the official rationale has not been publicly confirmed, the move aligns with ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to cleanse military leadership of ideologically driven figures and restore a focus on military excellence, readiness, and national security.
Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady informed Chatfield of the administration’s decision. While it remains unclear whether President Trump personally directed the dismissal, officials believe the call was ultimately made by Hegseth last week. The original report of her removal came via Reuters and was later picked up by Fox News.
There has been no indication that the termination is linked to any specific NATO policy changes. However, sources close to the matter point to the Trump administration's commitment to dismantling DEI programs, which critics say have undermined military cohesion and distracted from mission readiness.
According to a December letter from the American Accountability Foundation (AAF)—a respected conservative watchdog group—Chatfield was among 20 senior officers identified as being overly focused on progressive initiatives. Eight of those officers were women, and Chatfield was singled out for past remarks that emphasized gender politics over military capability.
Her 2015 comments, where she lamented that “our diversity is our strength” and criticized the House of Representatives for being 80% male at the time, exemplify the kind of rhetoric the Trump administration is working to eliminate. The AAF argued that such messaging “is a hindrance to national security” and reflective of an institutional drift away from core military values.
The administration’s push against DEI is not symbolic—it’s operational. Over 400 DEI-related books are being removed from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library in Annapolis, Maryland, and online DEI training programs have been dismantled under Hegseth’s oversight.
Chatfield, one of NATO’s 32 military committee members, was serving as the U.S. Military Representative to NATO. A Navy helicopter pilot and veteran of Afghanistan, she held a critical advisory role to the North Atlantic Council and NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group. While her military résumé includes 38 years of service and several leadership positions, critics argue that her ideological focus increasingly conflicted with the administration’s objectives.
Predictably, Democrats rushed to politicize the decision. Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, expressed “deep distress” over Chatfield’s removal and accused President Trump of weakening U.S. alliances. “Trump’s relentless attacks on our alliances and his careless dismissal of decorated military officials make us less safe and weaken our position across the world,” Warner posted on X.
Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, went further, labeling the decision “disgraceful” and insisting that Admiral Chatfield “has distinguished herself as one of the finest military officers our nation has to offer.” Reed also criticized Republicans for not publicly opposing the removal and lamented what he described as a “purge” of high-ranking officers.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti—the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations—and General Timothy Haugh, former head of U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA, were both recently removed as well, underscoring the administration’s broader commitment to reshaping military leadership in line with constitutional principles and mission-focused priorities.
President Trump has made clear that under his leadership, America’s armed forces will reject radical ideologies and return to their core purpose: defending the United States and its allies with strength, unity, and professionalism.