Caine confirmed as Joint Chiefs chairman in bipartisan late-night vote

The Senate voted 60-25 late last night to confirm retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff.

Though Caine gained the support of many Democrats, some opted to oppose his confirmation and delayed a vote well into Thursday night to protest President Trump’s firing of Gen. C.Q. Brown, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Among his Democratic supporters, however, was Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

During his confirmation hearing, Caine promised to remain apolitical, despite a story Trump has told about him allegedly wearing a MAGA hat. Caine said he has “never worn any political merchandise” and suggested the president may have misremembered details of the story.

Meanwhile, Caine will arrive at the Pentagon during a time of significant upheaval, including a major leadership reorganization and reviews focused on the budget and major defense acquisition programs.

At his hearing, Caine, a retired lieutenant general who has never served on the Joint Staff or run a combatant command, told lawmakers he realized he was an “unconventional nominee.”

“But these are unconventional times,” he said.