Trump Fires Joint Chiefs of Staff After Alleged Coup Plot Exposed by James O’Keefe Video

X.com ^ | 11:43 PM · Feb 22, 2025 | Project Constitution✓@ProjectConstitu (James O'Keefe reposted)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

By: Collin Campbell @ProjectConstitu

(Watch The Video Here) https://x.com/ProjectConstitu/status/1893527590087852473

Feb 22, 2025 - Washington, D.C.

In a stunning and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has fired the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military officers in the United States, following allegations of a plot to undermine his authority. The dramatic shakeup, announced late Friday night, February 21, 2025, stems from a controversial video released by investigative journalist James O’Keefe on January 15, 2025, which purportedly exposed a high-level Pentagon official discussing secret meetings to defy and potentially overthrow Trump if he issued orders deemed controversial by military leadership. The firings have ignited a firestorm of debate, with some hailing it as a bold defense of civilian control over the military, while others decry it as a dangerous politicization of the armed forces.

The O’Keefe Video: A Bombshell Revelation

The saga began on January 15, 2025, when O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) released undercover footage featuring Jamie Mannina, a senior advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former FBI special agent. In the video, Mannina, employed by defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, was recorded speaking with an undercover OMG journalist. He allegedly admitted to participating in a “huge meeting with military leaders” in a secure Pentagon room known as “The Tank,” a Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF). According to Mannina, these discussions involved retired generals—some as high-ranking as four-star officers—and focused on strategies to “protect people from Trump” and explore “what we can do” to counter his incoming administration.

Mannina’s statements painted a picture of a clandestine effort within the military establishment to resist Trump’s authority. He claimed to have been in conversations with retired generals since the spring of 2024, working through a 501(c)(4) organization to obscure their involvement. “This organization tried to defeat Donald Trump,” Mannina said, adding that he had ghostwritten over 100 opinion columns for generals to sway public opinion against Trump during the election cycle. He also expressed concerns about Trump’s potential orders, suggesting the military might need to act to preserve national security or democratic norms.

The confrontation that followed was equally explosive. O’Keefe ambushed Mannina outside a Washington, D.C., restaurant, presenting him with the footage. Mannina reacted angrily, shouting, “Get the f*** out of here!” and calling O’Keefe a “known liar” and “fraud,” though he failed to specify any inaccuracies when pressed. Within hours, the Pentagon confirmed Mannina’s termination from his contracted role, with Joint Staff Public Affairs Spokesman Joseph Holstead stating that his views did not reflect those of the military leadership.

Trump’s Response: A Swift and Decisive Purge

The January video set off alarm bells within Trump’s transition team, already wary of “deep state” resistance from his first term. Sources close to the administration suggest that the footage fueled suspicions of a broader conspiracy within the Pentagon. By February 21, 2025, just over a month into his second term, Trump acted decisively. In a Truth Social post, he announced the firing of General Charles “CQ” Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanking him for his 40 years of service but offering no specific reason for the dismissal. Minutes later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed with a statement confirming the removal of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife, and the Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Reports indicate that Trump’s team linked the alleged plot to a faction of military leaders perceived as loyal to former Chairman Mark Milley, whom Trump has long criticized. Milley, who retired in 2023, was quoted in Bob Woodward’s 2024 book War calling Trump “fascist to the core,” a statement that deepened the rift between Trump and the military establishment. A source familiar with the transition told Reuters that the administration aimed to purge “every single person elevated and appointed by Milley,” suggesting the firings were part of a broader effort to root out perceived disloyalty.

Trump nominated retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to replace Brown, an unusual choice given Caine’s retirement status and lower rank as a three-star general. Trump praised Caine as a “warfighter” instrumental in defeating ISIS, recalling a 2018 meeting in Iraq where Caine allegedly promised to annihilate the caliphate in a week. Hegseth echoed this sentiment, calling Caine the “leader we need to meet the moment.”

The Alleged Coup Plot: Fact or Fabrication?

The O’Keefe video has been both celebrated and condemned. Supporters on X, including posts from prominent conservative voices, hailed it as proof of a “deep state coup” against Trump. One widely shared post claimed, “Top Pentagon Advisor FIRED After Revealing Plot To ‘Protect People From Trump!’” accompanied by clips of Mannina’s admissions. Others pointed to his mention of “The Tank” meetings as evidence of a coordinated effort to defy Trump’s orders, potentially constituting a “soft coup”—a term used to describe non-violent subversion of elected authority.

Critics, however, question the video’s context and O’Keefe’s credibility. Mannina’s statements, while provocative, lack specific details about actionable plans, and some argue they reflect personal frustrations rather than an organized conspiracy. The Joint Staff clarified that Mannina was not an advisor to General Brown or the Joint Chiefs directly, but rather a contractor in the J6 C4 & Cyber division. Skeptics on X and in mainstream outlets like CNN have accused O’Keefe of selective editing, a critique leveled at his past work with Project Veritas. Still, the Pentagon’s swift firing of Mannina lent credence to the video’s impact, if not its full narrative.

Fallout and Reaction

The firings have sent shockwaves through Washington. General Brown, a decorated F-16 pilot and the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs, was seen as a stabilizing figure, despite criticism from Trump allies for his focus on diversity initiatives. Admiral Franchetti, the first woman to lead the Navy, and General Slife were also historic appointees, making their removals a symbolic rejection of what Hegseth has called “woke” military leadership. In his 2024 book The War on Warriors, Hegseth accused Brown of prioritizing diversity over readiness and had called for his ouster before taking office.

Lawmakers and former officials have sounded the alarm. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) called Brown’s firing “completely unjustified,” warning it weakens America. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a former Army National Guard soldier, labeled it “the work of a wanna-be dictator,” suggesting Trump aims to install “yes-men” loyal to him rather than the Constitution. Conversely, Trump allies like Vice President J.D. Vance cheered the move, with posts on X proclaiming it a step toward “making our military great again” by purging “woke generals.”

The broader implications are staggering. The Joint Chiefs advise the president and defense secretary on military matters, and their abrupt removal—along with the top military lawyers—raises questions about command continuity amid global tensions, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Some speculate the firings tie to Trump’s “America First” agenda, which may involve controversial orders—like border deployments or withdrawals from overseas bases—that military leaders might resist.

What’s Next?

As of 08:17 PM PST on February 22, 2025, the Pentagon is reeling from the purge. Hegseth has promised to announce replacements for Franchetti, Slife, and the Judge Advocates General soon, while Caine’s nomination awaits Senate confirmation. Posts on X reflect a polarized public, with trending sentiments ranging from “Trump just saved democracy” to “This is how dictatorships begin.” The O’Keefe video, now viewed millions of times, continues to fuel speculation about further tapes, with O’Keefe hinting at additional exposés targeting other agencies.

[George from New England]

That O’Keefe lives on the edge — betcha he’ll be getting security covered by Trump soon.

[NFHale]

What’s that old saying…? “When you strike at the king…”

Our boy learned a LOT in the last four years.

Well done, Mr. President, Bravo Zulu!

[PGalt]

HOORAY OMG!!!

[OKSooner]

Anyone who’s mixed up with Milley is scum, and is probably involved in sedition or worse.

[ronnie raygun]

When they are labeled as historic we know what that is and they gotta go and when everyone who is uphauled and angry about this is democrat they have to go, period!

[hoosierham]

Obama removed many conservative military MEN.

Trump is just restoring sanity and purpose

[SaveFerris]

[Trump’s Response: A Swift and Decisive Purge]

And that’s EXACTLY how it must be done - without delay

[tired&retired]

In 1998, Booz Allen Hamilton developed a strategy for the IRS to reshuffle its 100,000 employees into units focused on particular taxpayer categories.

They are headquartered in McClean Virginia.

[DIRTYSECRET]

There’s more. Think Joy Reid. She didn’t work for the government but like Brown of the Joint Chiefs, being black is no longer protected. Trump lead the way and the MSM follows knowing their ass is covered. I think they were tired of Reid but were too afraid of her and the justice brothers.

Trump at least thanked Brown for his service-proper but not deserved.

[SaveFerris]

A ZOT by President Trump!!

[Bobbyvotes]

The stark fact is we have TOO MANY Generals without declared war. More generals than any time since WWII. Military is bloated top heavy, while having trouble recruiting soldiers.

[jacknhoo]

I don’t remember all this crying when a foreigner pickle smoocher married to man duped the USA into the position of POTUS and fired all the pro-American generals, etc.

[tired&retired]

This article is a big WOW!

[AAABEST]

some as high-ranking as four-star officers—and focused on strategies to “protect people from Trump” and explore “what we can do” to counter his incoming administration.

Obama to Bush at Carter's funeral: "How do we stop this?"

At some point it becomes sedition - the REAL kind...not a J6er hoping a rope line.

[wildcard_redneck]

The phrase “the Pentagon is reeling from the purge” is proof that Trump is over the target.

[TheThirdRuffian]

This is what “saving democracy” actually looks like.

Getting rid of a deep state military coup in the works.

[CFW]

There are a lot of conservatives doing research on agency officials and letting Trump know where the snakes are lurking. Trump has a lot of people who “have his back” this time around.

Getting this guy out of the picture was a great move. Fantastic job by O’Keefe.

[jacknhoo]

After all, the plandemic was executed by the DoD.

[Psalm 73]

"...the administration aimed to purge “every single person elevated and appointed by Milley,”

Like hitting your opponent's aircraft while they are still on the tarmac prior to attacking you.