Trump starts military overhaul by ousting first female Coast Guard commandant

Driving the news: Adm. Linda Fagan was relieved of her duties because of "leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard," a senior DHS official said in a statement to Axios.

• The statement cites the Coast Guard's role in national border security and the fentanyl crisis, as well as shortfalls in recruitment and the guard's implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.
• The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment on the shift. The U.S. Coast Guard referred questions to DHS.

Flashback: Former President Biden tapped Fagan, a four-star admiral, to lead the Coast Guard in 2022 after she served as its second-in-command.

• Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, who became the branch's vice commandant in June, is now serving as its acting commandant.

Zoom out: Trump and his Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, have blamed DEI initiatives and what they broadly call "wokeness" for undermining military readiness and effectiveness.

• In a confirmation hearing earlier this month, Hegseth tried to distance himself from his past inflammatory claims about women in the military, specifically their service in combat roles.

Go deeper: Trump tests limits of presidential power with Day 1 barrage