Trump Administration Ousts Female Navy Officer Over ‘Woke’ Label/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the only woman on NATO’s military committee, was dismissed by the Trump administration amid a wider purge of leaders associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The move follows similar firings of high-ranking female officers in a push to eliminate so-called “woke” policies in the military. Officials believe her termination was politically motivated.
Trump Fires Top Female Navy Officer at NATO: Quick Looks
- Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield removed as NATO military committee rep.
- No official reason given, but linked to her support for DEI values.
- Chatfield is the third top female officer dismissed under Trump.
- She was listed as “woke” by the American Accountability Foundation.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly ordered the firing.
- NATO post connects military leadership to global strategic decisions.
- Critics say Trump’s anti-DEI stance weakens U.S. alliances.
- Chatfield has a decorated career, including Bronze Star for Afghanistan.
- Her firing drew condemnation from Sen. Mark Warner.
- DEI program purges continue to spark controversy across the military.
Trump Administration Ousts Female Navy Officer Over ‘Woke’ Label
Deep Look
Chatfield Fired From NATO Post as Trump Escalates Anti-Woke Military Agenda
Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the only woman on NATO’s military committee, was fired over the weekend by the Trump administration in what appears to be part of a broader campaign to eliminate military leaders who have supported diversity and inclusion.
Three U.S. officials confirmed the dismissal, speaking on condition of anonymity. According to those familiar with the matter, Chatfield was contacted directly by Adm. Christopher Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed that the administration wanted to “go in a different direction” for the NATO post.
Though no official reason was provided, officials said her removal was likely tied to public comments and actions promoting diversity in the armed forces — values now under scrutiny in the Trump-era Pentagon.
Targeted as “Woke”
Chatfield was included on a list circulated by the conservative American Accountability Foundation, which has lobbied Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to remove military leaders associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In a letter to Hegseth, the group called DEI policies “a distraction” and demanded that those responsible “must be dismissed.”
The letter highlighted Chatfield’s public support of a diversity summit and a 2015 speech commemorating Women’s Equality Day. In one LinkedIn post, she endorsed the idea that “our diversity is our strength” — a phrase that Hegseth has publicly criticized as emblematic of what he calls “woke military ideology.”
Chatfield is the third top-ranking female officer to be removed since Trump took office in January 2025. Previously, the administration dismissed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the former Chief of Naval Operations, and Adm. Linda Fagan, the Coast Guard Commandant.
Distinguished Military Career
Chatfield is a highly decorated Navy veteran. A native of Garden Grove, California, she graduated from Boston University, holds a master’s degree from Harvard University, and earned a doctorate from the University of San Diego.
A helicopter pilot by training, Chatfield served in the Pacific and Persian Gulf and later led a joint reconstruction team in Afghanistan. She also served as senior military assistant to the supreme allied commander in Europe and was awarded the Bronze Star for her service.
Her NATO post was part of the alliance’s military committee — a strategic body that links political leaders to military operations and provides critical guidance to the North Atlantic Council.
Fallout and Political Reaction
Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) was among the first to publicly condemn the decision.
“I’m deeply disturbed by the firing of Vice Adm. Chatfield,” Warner posted on X (formerly Twitter). “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.”
The firings and ongoing scrubbing of DEI references from Department of Defense websites and social media pages have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and veterans’ groups. Many argue that the removal of such programs undermines morale, inclusion, and recruitment — particularly among women and minorities in the military.
DEI Purge Continues
Since taking office, the Trump administration has actively dismantled DEI programs across the Pentagon, removing web pages, training modules, and leadership who promoted equity-focused initiatives.
In the case of Chatfield, critics say her firing is symbolic of the administration’s broader rejection of the values she represented — values embraced by U.S. allies and NATO partners.
In Washington, some senior defense officials are concerned that this anti-DEI purge could strain relations with international partners, many of whom emphasize inclusion as part of their defense doctrines.
For now, Chatfield has not commented publicly on her dismissal.
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