Linda Lee Fagan (born July 1, 1963)^[1][2] is a former commandant of the United States Coast Guard who served from June 2022 to January 2025. Previously, in 2021, she became the 32nd vice commandant of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard's first female four-star admiral.^[3] Before that, she was the commander of the Coast 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 the Coast Guard's first Gold Ancient Trident, the officer with the longest service record in the Marine Safety Field. In April 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced her nomination as the next vice commandant of the Coast Guard, succeeding Charles 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 Karl L. Schultz as commandant of the Coast Guard, making her the first woman in American history to lead a military service.^[9][10] Her nomination was sent to the United States Senate on April 7, 2022, receiving confirmation by unanimous consent on May 11.^[11][12] She assumed office on June 1,^[13] but was later relieved of command upon the inauguration of President Donald Trump,^[14] making her also the first commandant to be fired.^[15][16]

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Fagan graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1985 with a B.S. degree in marine science. She later earned a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington in 2000 and an M.S. degree in national security strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in 2008.^[5]

At the time that Fagan became Commandant in mid-2022, news broke that Coast Guard officials had been conducting an investigation of rape and sexual assault at the Coast Guard Academy but had not briefed Congress about their investigation. Fagan apologized to the victims of the sexual assaults and pledged to be more transparent about the agency's problems.^[17] After listening to four women describe being sexually assaulted as U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets, members of the United States Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations probing a "culture of cover-up" vowed to hold past and current Coast Guard leadership accountable.^{[18] [19]}"We're going to pursue those two individuals and others," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., chairman of the Subcommittee, referring to retired Admiral Karl L. Schultz, the former commandant of the Coast Guard, and his successor, the current commandant, Admiral Linda Fagan.^[20][21] On December 19, 2023, the Subcommittee stated in a press release and a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Linda 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."^[22]

On 25 July 2024, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability investigating the Coast Guard's mishandling of serious misconduct, including racism, hazing, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and the failure to disclose internal investigations into those issues to Congress requested that Admiral Schultz participate in a voluntary transcribed interview. The Committee stated that "[o]ne of the key questions the Committee is examining is the extent to which senior USCG leadership willfully concealed internal reports from Congress that would have informed policy changes needed to combat, and further prevent, future incidents of misconduct. As the Commandant of the Coast Guard during the finalization of [Operation Fouled Anchor], the Committee is interested in learning more about what actions you took to notify Congress or conceal misconduct. We believe that as the former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, you have information that will assist us in fully understanding the extent to which USCG withheld these reports from Congress, how these incidents of misconduct were handled, and what actions USCG took regarding those responsible. We therefore request that you make yourself available voluntarily for a transcribed interview."^[23]

Operation Fouled Anchor has faced scrutiny since its inception in 2014, and the House Oversight Committee described (Dec 13, 2024) it as follows "failed to address both historic and persistent sexual misconduct at the USCG Academy, and neglected to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable."^[24]

She was relieved of command on January 21, 2025, by Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman. Fagan had two years remaining in her appointed four-year term. ^[25] A statement by an unnamed Department of 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 on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and an 'erosion of trust' over the mishandling and cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor."^[26][27]

This firing exists in the larger context of the second Trump Administration's vow to eliminate DEI programs in federal government agencies. Congressman Rick Larson denounced the decision, claiming it was misguided, reckless, and will harm Coast Guard readiness.^[28] Senator Maria 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 require continuity to protect lives and American interests.”^[29] Fagan learned of her dismissal at the Commander-in-Chief Ball on Inauguration Day, while waiting in line to have her picture taken with the new president.^[30] According to media reports, she was evicted from her residence on February 4 with three hours' notice.^[31]

Fagan is the daughter of Jon Harley Keene and Loann Carol (Morris) Keene.^[32] She has a daughter.^[33]

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.

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