The Senate has approved retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This confirmation comes almost two months after President Donald Trump dismissed his predecessor. The Senate voted 60-25 in favor of Caine during a late-night session before a two-week recess.
Caine, known for his distinguished service as an F-16 combat pilot, held leadership roles in various special operations and even within the CIA. While he does not meet certain prerequisites outlined in a 1986 law—like being a combat commander or a service chief—these can be waived by the president if deemed necessary for national interest.
Caine’s nomination appears part of a broader strategy by Republicans to swiftly confirm Trump’s picks while Democrats have attempted to slow down the process. Senate Majority Leader John Thune facilitated the overnight vote after opposition from Democrats who wanted to prolong the confirmation.
Despite the partisan atmosphere, Caine garnered some bipartisan support. During his confirmation hearing, he promised to provide honest and nonpartisan advice to Trump and denied claims about wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat during their first meeting.
When questioned by Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan about potential orders for illegal military actions against civilians, Caine emphasized his duty to stand against such directives, reinforcing the integrity of military leadership.
Caine’s relationship with Trump began in the president’s first term during a visit to Iraq. Trump has characterized Caine as a genuine military leader as opposed to others who may be viewed as less engaged in real-world military operations. This contrasts sharply with the prior chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, whose tenure soured due to his attempts to maintain the military’s apolitical stance during Trump’s administration.
In a notable turn of events, Milley’s portrait was removed from the Pentagon just hours after Trump’s inauguration, marking a significant moment in the shifting dynamics of military leadership under Trump.
