Fri Apr 11 07:15:41 UTC 2025: **Senate Confirms Controversial Trump Nominee as Next Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff**

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025 – The U.S. Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a 60-25 vote late Friday. The confirmation comes nearly two months after President Donald Trump abruptly dismissed General C.Q. Brown Jr., the previous chairman.

Mr. Caine’s nomination, made in February, was met with significant controversy. President Trump’s administration has been accused of purging the military of leaders who support diversity and equity initiatives, and Mr. Caine, a decorated F-16 pilot with a background in special operations and the CIA, doesn’t fully meet the statutory requirements for the position. However, President Trump waived these requirements citing national interest.

The late-night confirmation vote, rushed through before the Senate’s two-week recess, followed objections from Democrats who sought to delay the process. While some bipartisan support emerged, the vote underscored the deep political divisions surrounding the appointment.

During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Caine pledged to provide candid advice to President Trump and maintain political neutrality, denying the President’s claim that he wore a “Make America Great Again” hat during their first meeting. He also affirmed his commitment to push back against any illegal orders, a reassurance sought by Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

Mr. Caine’s appointment follows a pattern established during President Trump’s first term, where his relationship with then-Chairman General Mark Milley deteriorated after General Milley prioritized the Constitution over the President’s directives. Following President Trump’s inauguration, General Milley’s portrait was removed from the Pentagon, and his security clearance and detail were revoked. President Trump has described Mr. Caine as “a real general, not a television general,” contrasting him with his predecessors.

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