Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dan ‘Razin’ Caine has been officially confirmed as the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff following a 60-25 vote in the Senate shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday.
The confirmation took place before the Senate adjourned for a two-week recess and came just over six weeks after President Trump unexpectedly fired Caine’s predecessor, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. This move was part of a broader shakeup at the Pentagon that raised concerns among many Democrats, while Republicans pushed for Caine’s quick confirmation.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on the need for swift action, stating, “The Chinese Communist Party continues an expansive military buildup, and our adversaries continue to band together against the United States. President Trump should have the expertise of the highest-ranking military officer in place without any delays.”
Caine’s appointment makes him the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, as well as the principal military adviser to the president, the secretary of defense, and a member of the National Security Council.
A career fighter jet pilot, Caine patrolled the skies over Washington, D.C., immediately after the 9/11 attacks and served in the Middle East during the fight against the Islamic State. He also held a position at the CIA.
Despite his extensive 34-year military background, Caine had not previously occupied any of the roles legally required to chair the Joint Chiefs. However, the president has the authority to waive such requirements if deemed necessary for national interest.
Before his nomination in February, Caine was relatively unknown, with sources on Capitol Hill and within the Pentagon admitting they needed to Google his name.
During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Caine expressed his commitment to earning the trust of senators and the American public by stating, “If confirmed, I’ll continue the traditions and standards of my oath of office and my commission as a nonpartisan leader who will always strive to do the right thing.”
Caine’s career has spanned roles at the CIA, the National Guard, and the Air Force. He most recently served as the associate director for military affairs at the CIA, a position he held from November 2021 until his retirement in December 2024.
To take on the role of Joint Chiefs chair, Caine was reinstated to active service and promoted to four-star general. He was commissioned in 1990 through an ROTC program at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. While on active duty, Caine served primarily as an F-16 fighter pilot, logging over 150 combat hours.
On September 11, 2001, Caine was one of the pilots responsible for protecting the skies above Washington following the terrorist attacks. This marked the first instance of fighter jets being deployed over the nation’s capital.
Caine recounted the gravity of that day in a 2023 CIA video, saying, “I remember telling the wingman that I was going to fly with that day, ‘Don’t shoot anybody. I’ll make the decision,’ because I was very mindful that if we made a mistake or if we got it wrong or if we missed somebody and we did not shoot, the consequences of that could be catastrophic. Not only for the people on the ground but for the country as a whole.”
From 2009 to 2016, Caine also served in the National Guard. He was the deputy commander in the U.S. campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria from May 2018 to September 2019, according to his military biography.
Additionally, Caine is described as a “serial entrepreneur and investor.” His LinkedIn profile lists his involvement on the advisory board of several venture capital firms and the defense and space exploration company Voyager.
Caine’s relationship with Trump dates back to at least 2019. At the Conservative Political Action Conference that year, Trump shared his first meeting with Caine in Iraq, where the general introduced himself by his nickname “Razin.”
Trump reminisced about the encounter, recalling how Caine said, “The Islamic State could be defeated in a week.” When Trump questioned this assertion, Caine explained that the delays stemmed from orders coming from Washington rather than being informed by field operations.
Trump recounted that Caine told him, “You’re the first one to ask us our opinion.” Trump added, “So I went back and I said, ‘I’m going to get back to you soon, Razin. I think you’re great.’ ”
However, Caine has disputed several claims made by Trump regarding their interaction, particularly the suggestion that he expressed a willingness to kill for the president, a statement that some U.S. officials say never occurred.
Caine has also denied wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat during their first meeting, emphasizing his nonpartisan stance. “For 34 years, I’ve upheld my oath of office and my commitment to my commission, and I have never worn any political merchandise,” he stated during his confirmation hearing.
Caine’s nomination followed the controversial firing of Brown, who had served as Joint Chiefs chairman since his appointment by former President Joe Biden in 2023. Traditionally, the position has a four-year term.
Brown faced accusations of supporting a so-called “woke” agenda by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who questioned whether Brown, who is Black, was appointed due to his race rather than merit. Hegseth later stated that “the president respects leaders who untie the hands of warfighters in a very dangerous world,” touting Caine as the right person for the moment.
Hegseth’s remarks came amidst the dismissal of several top Pentagon officials, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the Navy, and Gen. Jim Slife, vice chief of the Air Force.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and retired military officials, have expressed concern over these firings, viewing them as destabilizing and unjustified. Many believe they targeted officers who had supported diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The broader political implications of the shakeup were a focal point during Caine’s confirmation hearing. When asked whether he would “stand up and push back” against any unconstitutional military directives from Trump, Caine replied, “I think that’s the duty and job that I have, yes.”
Caine’s confirmation as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff marks a significant moment in the military establishment, as he prepares to navigate complex geopolitical challenges amidst a changing political landscape.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/04/11/nx-s1-5361080/dan-caine-joint-chiefs-chairman-confirmed
