The US Senate on Friday confirmed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after a historic and contentious shake-up led by President Donald Trump. The Senate approved Caine on a 60-25 vote, with bipartisan support, though Democrats opposed speeding up the process, leading to an early morning roll call.
Caine succeeds General CQ Brown, who was suddenly fired by Trump in February midway through his four-year term. It was the first time a serving chairman was removed short of finishing their term, and the first time that a retired officer occupied the post.
Prior to his confirmation, the Senate confirmed Caine’s restoration to active duty as a major general, a statutory necessity owing to his previous retirement. A veteran F-16 pilot, Caine’s career trajectory broke the mold. Unlike the majority who rise to the highest military position by commanding a service branch or combatant command, he did not serve in either of these positions. He held positions in the National Guard from 2009 to 2016 alongside being a businessman and investor. Prior to retirement, he served as associate director for military affairs at the CIA.
Caine, in his confirmation hearing, reasserted his apolitical nature and vowed he would spurn any illegal orders and would defend the Constitution and US laws. Trump, who had met Caine during a visit to Iraq in 2018, according to his claim, once posited that Caine sported a MAGA hat in a gesture of loyalty something that Caine disputed.
Trump’s restructuring of military leadership also involved firing five other high-ranking officers and putting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in their places, who expressed doubt over the former leadership and plans to axe diversity initiatives from the military. Trump is seen by critics to be emphasizing loyalty over unbiased military advice.
