Op-Ed
OGMNews— Intoxicated With Power? | Imagine you are Admiral Linda L. Fagan, you are standing in line at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, waiting to take a commemorative picture with your new boss, only to find out that you’ve been unceremoniously dismissed. That’s exactly what happened to Fagan, the highest-ranking woman in U.S. military history, on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump, in true reality-TV style, turned a formal military event into an impromptu episode of “You’re Fired!”
But if the firing wasn’t bad enough, what came next was sheer theatrics—she was given just three hours to vacate her official residence. That’s right. No gradual transition, no respectful send-off, just a blunt “Get out. Now.” Even the most notorious landlords give tenants 30 days’ notice, but Trump, apparently, operates on “power-drunk eviction mode.”
Eviction in Three Hours: A New Low in Military History
OGMNews— Intoxicated With Power? | After receiving her walking papers, Fagan was, by all accounts, still residing in her government-provided home on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. She had even been granted a 60-day waiver to relocate, as is customary for high-ranking officials. But then came an order from the top—or at least from somewhere within Trump’s inner circle—that she had to be kicked out immediately.
Acting Commandant Kevin Lundy received the unfortunate duty of playing the messenger and informed Fagan at 2 p.m. that she had until 5 p.m. to leave. Because nothing says “thank you for your service” like a surprise eviction notice with the efficiency of an Amazon Prime delivery.
Adding insult to injury, Fagan was told to leave the house unlocked so Trump’s Homeland Security aides could take photographs of the interior. Rightfully alarmed, she refused, warning that any attempt to enter the residence without her consent would be considered trespassing. Because, you know, basic property laws still apply—even in the middle of a political revenge tour.
The Real Reason Behind the Ouster? Hint: It’s Not “Operational Failures”
OGMNews— Intoxicated With Power? | The Department of Homeland Security cited “leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and an inability to advance strategic objectives” as reasons for her abrupt dismissal. But the real smoking gun? Her support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies—the ultimate boogeyman of Trump’s second term.
Just hours after retaking office, Trump signed an executive order dismantling DEI programs across all federal agencies. Fagan, having been a vocal advocate for diversity in the military, was suddenly cast as an ideological adversary rather than a dedicated leader. Her past statements emphasizing the importance of diversity in strengthening military teams were now being framed as a liability, rather than a forward-thinking approach to modern defense strategies.
Ironically, the same administration that claims to support “law and order” didn’t seem to mind tossing out a decorated military leader in a manner more fitting for an evicted reality show contestant than a veteran officer.
Trump’s Military Purge: A Warning Sign of Being Intoxicated With Power?
OGMNews— Intoxicated With Power? | Fagan’s removal isn’t just an isolated case of Trump flexing his authority—it’s part of a broader, more alarming pattern. Her dismissal aligns with Trump’s apparent strategy of purging the military of leaders who don’t align with his ideological preferences. In a democracy, military leadership should be based on competence, not political loyalty. But this administration seems to be running on a different doctrine: “Obey, or be dismissed.”
By making an example out of Fagan, Trump sends a chilling message to other military officials: dissent, even in the form of advocating for inclusion, will not be tolerated. Given that her tenure had been scrutinized over the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual assault investigations—which predated her leadership—one has to wonder whether her removal was more about performance or politics.
The Bigger Picture: Democracy or Intoxicated With Power \ Dictatorship?
OGMNews— Intoxicated With Power? | What’s most concerning about this eviction spectacle is what it signals about Trump’s second term: a commander-in-chief who believes military leadership should be reshuffled at his personal whim. His fixation on loyalty over qualifications is a dangerous precedent that weakens military independence, and frankly, national security itself.
And let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time Trump has displayed erratic behavior towards the U.S. military. From calling fallen soldiers “losers and suckers” to attempting to use active-duty troops against civilian protests, this latest stunt fits neatly into his pattern of treating the military as his personal chessboard.
With Admiral Fagan gone, the question remains: Who’s next? And more importantly, how much longer will the military allow itself to be used as a pawn in Trump’s power games?
