## Senior NATO Official Removed Amidst Broader Effort to Eliminate Perceived “Wokeness”
A high-ranking U.S. Navy official was recently dismissed from her position with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a move reportedly linked to an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to reshape military leadership and eliminate what they deem “woke” policies within the Pentagon.
Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the sole female representative on NATO’s prestigious Military Committee, was terminated without specific explanation over the weekend. Her departure marks a significant loss; she is one of a small number of women holding the rank of Navy three-star officer and previously served as President of the Naval War College until 2023.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Admiral Christopher Grady, acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed Chatfield that the administration sought a different direction for the role. While the precise decision-maker remains unclear, officials suggest Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initiated the termination last week, though whether President Trump provided direct instruction is unknown.
The removal has sparked widespread concern and condemnation from within the Democratic party, with many questioning the motives behind it. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) stated: “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 move appears to be part of a wider pattern of personnel changes driven by concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- Earlier this month, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative research group, circulated a list to Secretary Hegseth highlighting 20 general officers or senior admirals they deemed overly focused on DEI. Chatfield was among eight women included in this assessment.
The AAF cited a 2015 speech by Chatfield where she observed the predominantly male composition of Congress and stated, “our diversity is our strength.” They also pointed to her referencing a Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute presentation emphasizing the transformative potential of gender equality.
This action aligns with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s repeated declarations that so-called “woke” policies are detrimental. This includes directives leading to the removal of approximately 400 books addressing DEI content from the U.S. Naval Academy library in Annapolis, Maryland.
Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed outrage over Chatfield’s dismissal, calling it “disgraceful.” He stated:
“Admiral Chatfield is among the finest military officers our nation has to offer… Her 38-year career as a Navy pilot, foreign policy expert, and preeminent military educator—including as President of the Naval War College—will leave a lasting legacy on the Navy and throughout the military. Admiral Chatfield’s record of selfless service is unblemished by President Trump’s behavior.”
Reed further criticized Republican lawmakers for their silence on the matter, noting that this marks the tenth dismissal of generals or admirals under the current administration, including the recent removal of General Timothy Haugh from his roles leading the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, and the firing of Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to become Chief of Naval Operations.
Reed concluded with a call for accountability: “I cannot fathom how anyone could stand silently by while the President causes great harm to our military and our nation… I urge my Republican colleagues to join me in demanding an explanation from President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.”
