(RNS) — The historically Black denomination that endorsed U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., who until last week served as the Army’s chief of chaplains, said it had “deep disappointment and serious concern” about his removal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Green, who had served in the top military chaplaincy role since 2023, was the third Black Army chief of chaplains. He was dismissed on April 2, during the Christian observance of Holy Week between Palm Sunday and Easter and amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
“The removal of Major General William Green Jr. raises serious and troubling questions that deserve transparency and accountability,” said the Rev. Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc., in a Wednesday (April 8) statement. “His decades of faithful service, moral leadership, and historic representation within the Army Chaplain Corps should not be overshadowed by actions that create the appearance of bias, ideological targeting, or radical political interference. Our nation must be careful not to allow partisan agendas to undermine institutions built on merit, sacrifice, and service.”
Green’s dismissal occurred at the same time that Hegseth asked Gen. Randy George, the Army’s chief of staff, to resign and removed Gen. David Hodne, the leader of the service’s Transformation and Training Command, The Washington Post first reported.
Kimber joined others in calling for President Donald Trump and Hegseth to explain the reasons behind Green’s dismissal.
“When leaders of this …
