Franchetti Asserts Navy’s Mission Will Continue Undisrupted After Removal by Trump Administration
Former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Lisa Franchetti addressed Navy personnel following her unexpected removal by the Trump administration, along with other high-ranking Pentagon leaders, on Friday. In a message intended for internal distribution, Franchetti emphasized the Navy’s unwavering commitment to its mission, assuring that its operations would proceed without interruption.
Franchetti, the first woman to hold the position of CNO and to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described her tenure leading the Navy as "the honor of a lifetime." She expressed gratitude to Navy sailors for their dedication and service in safeguarding U.S. national security interests.
"We are America’s Warfighting Navy and America is counting on us to deter aggression, defend our National security interests, and preserve our way of life," Franchetti stated in the message, which was inadvertently shared on LinkedIn before being promptly removed. "We operate from seabed to space, around the globe and around the clock. Our mission continues, unabated and undisrupted…There is no time to waste."
The Navy clarified that the LinkedIn post was not authorized for public dissemination. A U.S. official familiar with the situation explained that the message was initially intended for a limited audience of staff members and senior Navy leaders. "She did not post or direct the message to be posted on LinkedIn," the official stated. "The message was improperly posted by a junior staffer who had access to the LinkedIn account but did not have authorization to post the content of Admiral Franchetti’s Friday email."
Despite the circumstances surrounding her departure, Franchetti’s message underscores the resilience and professionalism of the Navy, assuring both its personnel and the nation that its core mission will not be compromised.
Franchetti’s distinguished career began when she joined the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) as a student at Northwestern University. Commissioned in 1985, she recounted in a 2023 interview that she discovered the ROTC program and its scholarship opportunities during freshman orientation week.
Initially, women faced restrictions on serving on combatant ships and aircraft, limiting their assignments to support vessels. However, the repeal of these restrictions in 1993 paved the way for women like Franchetti to ascend to leadership positions within the Navy.
"I joined for free college and books, but I stayed for our mission, the opportunity to serve something greater than myself, and the chance to be part of amazing teams in the world’s most lethal fighting force: America’s Warfighting Navy," Franchetti reflected.
Throughout her career, Franchetti commanded two carrier strike groups, served as the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and commanded the U.S. 6th Fleet, which falls under U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa.
The Trump administration’s decision to remove Franchetti also affected other senior military leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requested nominations to fill the vacancies left by Franchetti and Slife, acknowledging their "distinguished careers" and thanking them for their service.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby has assumed responsibilities as the acting top officer in the Navy until a permanent replacement for Franchetti is appointed.
"The work of our Navy continues without disruption," Kilby affirmed. "We will sustain forward-deployed lethal forces that enhance the peace and deter our adversaries."
The Navy has not yet commented on Franchetti’s future reassignment.
Hegseth, in his 2024 book, "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free," previously labeled Franchetti as a "DEI hire." This characterization has drawn criticism, with some viewing it as undermining Franchetti’s accomplishments and qualifications.
In a related development, Hegseth announced that President Donald Trump intends to nominate retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine to succeed Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hegseth praised Caine as embodying the "warfighter ethos" that the U.S. military needs.
"Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting and winning wars," Hegseth stated.
The removal of Franchetti and other top military leaders has sparked debate about the Trump administration’s intentions for the military and the potential impact on national security. While the administration asserts that the changes are aimed at refocusing the military on its core mission, critics express concerns about the abruptness of the changes and the potential for instability within the armed forces.
The situation underscores the importance of maintaining a strong and apolitical military, capable of defending the nation’s interests regardless of political transitions. The Navy’s assurance that its mission will continue undisrupted provides some reassurance during this period of change. The focus now shifts to the selection of Franchetti’s permanent replacement and the continued leadership of the Navy in safeguarding the nation’s security.
