The Trump Administration is making waves by continuing its mission to cleanse the military of deep state influence and woke ideologies. This past weekend, Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the sole woman on NATO’s military committee, was relieved of her duties. This move is seen as part of a broader effort to eliminate wokeness from the Pentagon.
According to a report by Fox News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the decisive call, although it’s unclear if President Trump had a direct hand in the decision.
In a statement shared on X, Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs & Chief Pentagon Spokesman, remarked on the firing:
Secretary Hegseth has removed U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield from her position as U.S. representative to NATO’s military committee due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead. The Defense Department is grateful for her many years of military service.
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD)
April 8, 2025
The conservative American Accountability Foundation first urged the Pentagon to remove Chatfield, citing her previous woke remarks. During a Women’s Equality Event in August 2015, Chatfield highlighted diversity as a strength and pushed for investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
An excerpt from a U.S. Army Sept. 2015 article quotes Chatfield:
“Just before the cake-cutting at the end of the Women’s Equality Day observance, Chatfield said she was pleased that the cake was decorated in purple, the color that represents a joint environment — many services working together.
“Our diversity is our strength,” she said, adding that the secrets are how to get the best out of each person and how to make sure that none of their talents is wasted. “Finding a way to be respectful of the differences is where our growth is.”
Chatfield summed up the importance of equal rights by quoting Slide 35 of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s informational presentation on Women’s Equality Day: Investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment can unlock human potential on a transformational scale.
“It’s not a question of women’s rights; it’s a question of everyone’s rights,” Chatfield said.
Adding to the controversy, Human Events Senior Editor Jack Posobiec reported claims of Chatfield’s refusal to display portraits of President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at NATO headquarters.
BREAKING: Per report, Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield refused to put up POTUS & SECDEF pictures in NATO HQ. Also held an “all hands” where she said “we will wait them out 4 years”
She has been relieved of duty
— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec)
April 8, 2025
Predictably, Democratic senators expressed outrage over Chatfield’s firing. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, expressed his dismay:
I’m deeply disturbed by the firing of a top U.S. military officer at NATO, Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield – a combat veteran and helicopter pilot.
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.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner)
April 7, 2025
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised Chatfield’s service in a statement:
“Admiral Chatfield is among the finest military officers our nation has to offer, and she has distinguished herself as the U.S. Military Representative to NATO,” Reed commented. “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.”
