Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine faced senators Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledging his status as an “unknown and unconventional nominee” while emphasizing his readiness to serve in America’s defense against “unconventional and unprecedented threats.”
The decorated F-16 combat pilot’s nomination comes with controversy, as President Trump named Caine just one day after firing Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. in what many view as a purge of military leaders perceived as supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This context created a tense backdrop for the hearing, with Sen. Jack Reed noting the “fraught situation” surrounding Caine’s nomination.
Questions about Caine’s qualifications dominated the proceedings. While he brings extensive experience from special operations commands and classified Pentagon programs, he doesn’t meet the traditional prerequisites for Joint Chiefs chairman — requirements that can be waived by presidential authority. His unconventional career path includes service in the National Guard, private sector work, and a role as associate director for military affairs at the CIA until his retirement in December 2023.
Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker expressed confidence in Caine’s nonpartisan approach, stating, “We can argue politics up here on the dais, but I expect General Caine to stay out of it no matter the subject.” Caine himself emphasized how his wide-ranging military experience has shaped his views on the use of force and its careful consideration.
In a notable moment, Caine publicly denied ever wearing a MAGA hat, contradicting a story Trump has told about their previous meeting. “For 34 years, I’ve upheld my oath of office and my commitment to my commission. And I have never worn any political merchandise,” Caine stated, suggesting Trump “must have been talking about somebody else.”
The nomination follows strained relations between Trump and former Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley during Trump’s first term. Within hours of Trump’s January inauguration, Milley’s portrait was removed from the Pentagon, and the administration subsequently stripped Milley of his security clearance and detail.
If confirmed, Caine would need to be sworn back into active duty and promoted to four-star general. His extensive military background includes leading the Pentagon’s Special Access Programs Central Office, commanding joint special operations in Iraq, and accumulating more than 2,800 flying hours in the F-16, earning distinctions like the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star Medal.
As senators weigh this nomination, the central question remains whether Caine’s unconventional background prepares him for the challenging role of serving as the president’s top military adviser while maintaining the independence and integrity of America’s highest uniformed office.
Read more: Trump’s pick for Joint Chiefs chairman strikes a humble, apolitical tone in Senate hearing
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