President Donald Trump Friday fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown after two-and-a-half years on the job.

“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with more than 40 years of service.” Brown was a fighter pilot.

“He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family,” Trump posted on social media. 

He did not give a reason why Brown was fired, though many surmise the move was racially motivated when Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has repeatedly emphasized that military assignments and promotions will be based on merit only. His hackles were raised when many pointed out that Brown faced racist assaults throughout his military career. Hegseth pointedly avoided acknowledging these issues.

The ouster of Brown, only the second Black general to serve as chairman, is sure to send shock waves through the Pentagon. Colin Powell was the first Black General to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In the four years Powell served in that capacity, he oversaw 28 crises, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991. 

Brown’s 16 months on the job had been consumed with the war in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

Trump announced Friday he would be replacing Brown with retired three-star Air Force general John Caine.

Trump also announced: “I have also directed Secretary Hegseth to solicit nominations for five additional high-level positions, which will be announced soon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”