After the Trump administration expelled her and other top leaders on Friday, former chief Lisa Francetti spoke to staff after insisting that the Navy’s mission would “not fade and not be destroyed.”
Francetti, the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations, was Co-State Chief of Staff, deeming maritime services a “lifetime honor” and thanking Navy seafarers for their service in supporting the United States
“We are the American war navy, and America relies on us to stop aggression, protect our national security interests and protect our way of life,” said Francetti, who has been the top navy officer since 2023, in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday. “We are open 24 hours a day from the seabed to space, from the world to the world. Our mission continues, not waning, not bankrupt. There is no time to waste.”
After its release, the Navy revealed that the post was not intended to be shared on social media. A US official with knowledge of the situation told Fox News Digital that the message was sent to a “small group” of staff and senior Navy leaders, but was not intended to be shared with a larger audience.
“She did not post or direct a message to post on LinkedIn,” a US official said in a statement. “This message was inappropriately posted by junior staff who had access to my LinkedIn account but had no permission to post the contents of Admiral Franchetti’s Friday email.”
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Vice Admiral Lisa Francetti became the first woman to head the Navy Operations in 2023. (Navy)
Franchetti joined the Navy Reserve Training Corps as a student at Northwestern University and was commissioned in 1985. She told the Navy Times in 2023 that she met other ROTC students during Freshman Orientation Week, where she informed her of scholarship opportunities offered by ROTC.
At the time of her commission, the woman was banned from offering to combat ships and aircraft, and instead assigned to ships such as oil guns and destroyer bids. However, Congress repealed the law in 1993. Women like Francetti pave the way for them to serve the highest leadership positions in the Navy.
“I participated for free colleges and books, but remained with our mission, the opportunity to serve something bigger than me, and to be part of an incredible team of the American Combat Navy, the world’s deadliest combat forces.
Eventually, Francetti led two career strike groups, serving as deputy commander of the US Navy in Europe and Africa, and commander of the US 6th Fleet under the Navy Army in US Europe and Africa.
Other leaders the Trump administration removed on Friday included Prime Minister CQ Brown’s co-director and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Prime Minister Jim Sliff.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has called for the appointment of Francetti and Sliff to replace him, saying they both have “distinguished careers.”
“We appreciate their service and dedication to our country,” Hegses said in a statement Friday.
James Kilby, deputy director of Naval Operations, announced he would take over responsibility as the Navy’s chief officer until a permanent replacement was found for Francetti.
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Lt. Gen. Lieutenant General Lisa Francetti’s previous mission includes her role as commander of the US 6th Fleet, based in Naples, Italy. (Domestic Defense)
“Our Navy work continues without any confusion,” Kilby said in a statement Saturday. “We will maintain the deadly force deployed forward to enhance peace and stop the enemy.”
The Navy did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. It remains unknown where Franchetti will be reassigned.
Hegseth did not provide additional comments about Franchetti or her career, but previously described her as “Dei Hire” in her 2024 book, “The Warriors: The War on Warriors: Men of the Men of the Men of Us Aled.”
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Heggs announced Friday the plan to nominate President Donald Trump’s retired Air Force lieutenant General Razin Kane to replace Brown, claiming that Kane would embody the needs of the US military’s “fighter spirit.”
“Under President Trump, we are introducing new leadership that will deter the army, fight and focus it on the core of victory,” Heggs said.
Diana Stancy is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the White House.
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