Linda Fagan | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2021 | |
| 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard | |
| In office June 1, 2022 – January 21, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Vice Commandant | Steven D. Poulin Kevin Lunday |
| Preceded by | Karl L. Schultz |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Lunday (acting) |
| 32nd Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard | |
| In office June 18, 2021 – May 31, 2022 | |
| Commandant | Karl L. Schultz |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Ray |
| Succeeded by | Steven D. Poulin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Linda Lee Keene (1963-07-01)July 1, 1963 (age 62) Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | United States Coast Guard Academy (BS) University of Washington (MS) National Defense University (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1985–2025 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands |
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| Awards | |
Fagan outlines her vision for the Coast Guard at aHouse Homeland Security subcommittee hearing Recorded July 14, 2022 | |
Linda Lee Fagan (born July 1, 1963)[1][2] is a retired American admiral who served as the 27thcommandant of the United States Coast Guard from June 2022 to January 2025. Previously, she was the 32ndvice commandant of the Coast Guard under CommandantKarl L. Schultz from 2021 to 2022.[3] Before that, she was the commander of theCoast Guard Pacific Area with prior terms as Coast Guard Deputy for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities; commander,First Coast Guard District; and commander, Coast Guard Sector New York. Fagan is also theCoast Guard's first Gold Ancient Trident, the officer with the longest service record in themarine safety field. In April 2021,Secretary of Homeland SecurityAlejandro Mayorkas announced her nomination as the next Coast Guard vice commandant, succeedingCharles W. Ray.[4][5][6][7] She was confirmed on June 17, 2021, and assumed office on June 18.[8]
In April 2022, it was announced that Fagan would be nominated to succeed Schultz as Commandant, making her the first woman in American history to lead amilitary service.[9][10] Her nomination was sent to theSenate on April 7, 2022, and confirmed byunanimous consent on May 11.[11][12] She assumed office on June 1.[13]
On January 21, 2025, Fagan was relieved of command upon the inauguration of PresidentDonald Trump,[14] making her also the first commandant to be fired.[15][16]
Born inColumbus, Ohio, Fagan graduated from theCoast Guard Academy in 1985 with a bachelor's degree inmarine science. She later earned a master ofmarine affairs degree from theUniversity of Washington in 2000 and a master's in national security strategy from theIndustrial College of the Armed Forces at theNational Defense University in 2008.[5]
More than a year after Fagan became Commandant, in mid-2023, news broke that Coast Guard officials had conducted an investigation from 2014–2018[17] of rape and sexual assault at the Coast Guard Academy, but had not briefed Congress about their investigation when it concluded.[17] Fagan apologized to the victims of the sexual assaults and pledged to be more transparent about the agency's problems.[18] After listening to four women describe being sexually assaulted while Academy cadets, members of theSenate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations probing a "culture of cover-up" vowed to hold past and current Coast Guard leadership accountable.[19][20] "We're going to pursue those two individuals and others," said Connecticut SenatorRichard Blumenthal, Chairman of the Subcommittee, referring to retired AdmiralKarl L. Schultz, the formercommandant of the Coast Guard, and his successor Fagan.[21][22] On December 19, 2023, the Subcommittee stated in a press release and a letter to Fagan, "It is clear from this testimony, and the Subcommittee's inquiry to date, that the Coast Guard's culture of cover-up has allowed sexual assault and sexual harassment to persist for decades, both at the Academy and in the Coast Guard. It is equally apparent that accountability and systematic change at both the Coast Guard and the Academy are necessary to address past failures and to ensure that future cadets are protected." The Subcommittee demanded a "swift response" to the inquiry and further indicated that "[s]hould the Coast Guard continue to withhold or redact requested records, PSI will have no choice but to utilize other means to ensure compliance with congressional oversight."[23]
She was relieved of command on January 21, 2025, by actingHomeland Security SecretaryBenjamine Huffman. Fagan had two years remaining in her appointed four-year term.[24] A statement by an unnamed Homeland Security senior official, first reported by Fox News and later other news agencies, proposed that the relief was due to "failure to address border security threats, insufficient leadership in recruitment and retention, mismanagement in acquiring key acquisitions such as icebreakers and helicopters, excessive focus ondiversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and an 'erosion of trust' over the mishandling and cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor."[25][26]
This firing exists in the larger context of thesecond Trump administration's vow to eliminate DEI programs in federal government agencies. CongressmanRick Larsen denounced the decision, claiming it was misguided, reckless, and would harm Coast Guard readiness.[27] SenatorMaria Cantwell also opposed the removal, claiming the coverup of Operation Fouled Anchor happened before Fagan took command, and that "firing a commandant at will by a new president also sets a bad precedent. The complexity of the Coast Guard's diverse missions requires continuity to protect lives and American interests."[26] Fagan learned of her dismissal at the Commander-in-Chief Ball onInauguration Day, while waiting in line to have her picture taken with the new president.[28] According to media reports, she was evicted from her residence on February 4 with three hours' notice.[29]
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Fagan is the daughter of Jon Harley Keene and Loann Carol (Morris) Keene.[30] She has two daughters, one of whom is a Coast Guard Academy graduate.[31]
On June 29, 2024, Fagan was awarded the DAR Patriot Award by theNational Society Daughters of the American Revolution at the society's 133rd Continental Congress.[32] She was presented the award by DAR president generalPamela Rouse Wright during National Defense Night ceremony atDAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.[33]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States government.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of theCoast Guard Pacific Area 2018–2021 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard 2021–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commandant of the Coast Guard 2022–2025 | Succeeded by |