Donald Trump’s administration has fired Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the only female member of NATO’s military committee, after she was targeted by a conservative group for being “woke.”
Chatfield, a combat veteran and helicopter pilot, was dismissed from her post despite no official explanation. Sources close to the situation say her removal was likely tied to her support for diversity in the military. She had previously been listed as “woke” by the American Accountability Foundation, a far-right group that criticizes military leaders who promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
According to the Associated Press, Chatfield was informed of her dismissal by Admiral Christopher Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who told her that the administration was taking the military in a “different direction.”
Known for advocating for diversity, Chatfield had often clashed with figures like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump over their stance on military policies. Sources close to the firing believe the decision was made by Hegseth last week.
As a Navy helicopter pilot and a former commander of a joint reconstruction team in Afghanistan, Chatfield had represented the U.S. on NATO’s military committee, a key group that advises the North Atlantic Council and NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group.
This marks the third top female officer fired under the Trump administration. In February, Trump removed Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations. He also dismissed Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan the day after his inauguration.
Trump and Hegseth have long campaigned against “woke” policies in the military, seeking to remove leaders who support diversity initiatives. The American Accountability Foundation had previously criticized Chatfield for her support of a diversity summit and for advocating women’s empowerment in a 2015 speech at a Women’s Equality Day event.
The group also condemned her for saying, “our diversity is our strength,” a phrase Hegseth has frequently opposed.
The purge of military leaders who support DEI policies has sparked backlash from lawmakers and citizens. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia expressed concern, saying he was “deeply disturbed” by the Trump’s actions.
“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 wrote on X.
