Reed Statement on Firing of Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan

WASHINGTON, DC  --After President Trump abruptly fired Admiral Linda Fagan, the 27thCommandant of the Coast Guard and America’s first female Service Chief who was two-and-a-half years into her four-year term, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
“Admiral Fagan is a consummate professional and a strong leader with a record of distinguished service.  During her time as Commandant, she successfully led more than 55,000 Coast Guard personnel in their critical missions and life-saving operations at sea.
“I am troubled that this firing was based on politics, not performance. I urge my Republican colleagues to take a closer look at her unwarranted dismissal and speak out against the removal of high-achieving officers for partisan reasons.
“Admiral Fagan’s removal is a loss for the Coast Guard.  She’s a trailblazer and mentor for many young officers.  Her legacy continues through them and we salute her for a job well done.
“Admiral Fagan earned her place in history and raised the bar for others to follow.  No one, not even President Trump, can take that away from her.”
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