Sunday, May 25, 2025
Sunday, May 25, 2025
The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on April 1 to consider the nomination of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, whom President Trump has picked to return to service as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Caine, if confirmed, would succeed former Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, whom Trump fired last month, along with other senior military officials.
In a Feb. 21 social media post, Trump, who referred to the retired general by his military call sign "Razin," said Caine was “instrumental” in defeating ISIS in his first term, alleging that he had been passed over for promotion in the previous administration.
“Despite being highly qualified and respected to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the previous administration, General Caine was passed over for promotion by Sleepy Joe Biden,” Trump wrote. “But not anymore! Alongside Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Caine and our military will restore peace through strength, put America First, and rebuild our military.”
Caine, it has been noted by experts, does not technically meet the requirements of the job, such as being a service chief or combatant commander. However, the law allows the president to waive the requirements if he deems it necessary.
Trump, meanwhile, characterized Caine as a political supporter during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference last year, recalling a 2018 meeting with him in Iraq.
“He said, ‘I’ll kill for you sir.’ Then he puts on a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat,” Trump said.
Caine has not commented publicly on his relationship with Trump, though media reports quoting anonymous sources dispute the president’s recounting of events.