EDITORIAL: Trump will come for us in the evening

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If Trump’s plan to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion needed a disquieting underscore it came with the firing of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. Gen Brown did not rise through the military ranks abetted by DEI, but he was a perfect target for Trump to lower the boom on — a noteworthy person of color.

In removing Gen. Brown, the second African American general to serve as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump was at his fork-tongued best, thanking Brown for his forty years of service, calling him a fine gentleman, an outstanding leader, all while dismissing the general in the same breath or social media post.

Brown’s farewell message posted to LinkedIn, recounted without rancor that he was “inspired to serve by my father, who told me, ‘Four years in the military will not hurt you.’ Four years turned into four decades, surrounded by the finest service members and civilians from across our Nation. Every day you have inspired me. It has been my distinct honor to conclude my career as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As Chairman, I focused on Warfighting, Modernization, and Trust. The Joint Force’s commitment to our security has never been more critical. I’m confident you will continue to stand resolute in defense of our Nation. Sharene and I wish you and your families all the best.”

Related: EDITORIAL: Trump devoid of common sense and human decency

Brown spent only a year and a half on this prestigious post, much of it devoted to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The result here shouldn’t be surprising given Trump’s denunciation of President Zelensky — calling him a “dictator” — and his alignment with Russia as the U.S. votes against condemning Russia for the Ukraine war, probably signaling the abandonment of war-crime prosecution against Russia for invading Ukraine. It will come as no surprise if the Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, to say nothing of Elon Musk, fuel this shakeup at the Pentagon and stranglehold on the U.N.

In one fell swoop, Trump has demonstrated again how a domestic executive order spreads into the international arena, adding complexity and dismay to the interest of freedom and justice. It’s bad enough to block the Associated Press from the Oval Office, a move that should not go ignored by those professing to support freedom of the press. If Trump has come for Gen. Brown and in the AP in the morning, you can bet your bottom dollar he will be coming for us in the evening.