Army Corps Removes Little Rock District Commander Amid Push To Cut Bureaucracy

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed the commander of its Little Rock District on Jan. 15, citing a "loss of confidence" in his leadership and naming Lt. Col. Jesse Carter as interim commander, the Corps said in a statement.

What Happened

Senior Army Corps leaders framed the decision as part of a broader effort to hold district commanders accountable for reducing bureaucracy and accelerating civil works projects nationwide. The initial announcement did not identify the officer relieved of command; reporting by Task & Purpose later named Col. Patrick Caukin as the officer who assumed command of the district in July 2025.

Senior Officials Speak

"For the first time in decades, under the Trump Administration, Commanders who fail to follow orders and overcome entrenched bureaucracy will be dealt with accordingly," Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle said in a statement, adding that the Corps employs "incredible, patriotic people" but that excessive red tape has burdened the public.

Lt. Gen. William "Butch" Graham, commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said he relieved the Little Rock District commander "based on a loss of confidence in his ability to command," and stressed that district leaders are expected to demonstrate rapid, continuous transformation, reduce red tape, and maintain a bias for action.

Local Context: Table Rock Lake Dispute

The leadership change follows tensions between the Corps and residents in Missouri over enforcement actions at Table Rock Lake, where some property owners were ordered to remove docks and other structures they said had historically been allowed. Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison and Sen. Eric Schmitt praised the leadership change, saying it signaled a new, more engaged approach to resolving the dispute.

Process And Impact

The Corps did not say whether the removal was connected to a specific project or an active investigation. "Loss-of-confidence" removals are a standard personnel mechanism across the force when senior leaders determine a commander no longer has the authority to lead.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages a nationwide portfolio of civil works, including flood risk management, infrastructure projects, and environmental restoration. The Little Rock District covers Arkansas and parts of southern Missouri, overseeing nearly 750,000 acres of public lands and waterways and about $6.5 billion in infrastructure, including reservoirs, hydroelectric plants, public parks and dams.

Lt. Col. Jesse Carter will lead the district on an interim basis while the Corps conducts its process to select a permanent commander.