President Trump has had a wild past 72 hours. This news was what he has been waiting for.
And the U.S. Senate rushed President Donald Trump a critical update late into the night.
Lt. Gen. John “Razin” Caine Takes Helm as Joint Chiefs Chair
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dan “Razin” Caine has been confirmed as the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Senate’s 60-25 vote, cast in the early hours of Friday just after 2 a.m., marks a significant step in President Trump’s vision to reshape the Pentagon with leaders aligned to his America-first priorities. As the Senate adjourned for a two-week recess, Caine’s confirmation stood as a testament to the administration’s commitment to swift, bold action.
The vote came roughly six weeks after President Trump made headlines by dismissing Caine’s predecessor, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., in a sweeping Pentagon overhaul. While Democrats voiced unease over the abrupt changes, Republican leaders rallied behind Caine, urging rapid confirmation to ensure steady leadership at a time of global uncertainty. The urgency was clear: America faces mounting challenges abroad, and the Trump administration is determined to meet them head-on.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, emphasized the stakes in a statement on Wednesday. “The Chinese Communist Party continues an expansive military buildup, and our adversaries continue to band together against the United States,” he said. “President Trump should have the expertise of the highest-ranking military officer in place without any delays.” Wicker’s words captured the sentiment driving Caine’s swift ascent—a need for decisive, experienced leadership to counter growing threats.
As the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, Caine now serves as the principal military adviser to the president, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council. His confirmation places a seasoned fighter pilot at the helm, one whose career spans critical moments in America’s recent history. From patrolling the skies above Washington, D.C., after the 9/11 attacks to serving in the Middle East during the campaign against the Islamic State, Caine brings a wealth of real-world experience to the role.
Caine’s 34-year military career is distinguished, though he had not held the specific positions typically required for Joint Chiefs chair. President Trump, recognizing Caine’s unique qualifications, exercised his authority to waive those requirements, deeming the move essential to national security. This decision emphasizes the administration’s preference for leaders who prioritize results over bureaucratic checkboxes—a hallmark of Trump’s approach to governance.
Though Caine was not a household name before his nomination in February, his record speaks for itself. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute’s ROTC program in 1990, he built a career as an F-16 fighter pilot, logging over 150 combat hours. His service on September 11, 2001, stands out as a defining moment. As one of the pilots tasked with protecting the nation’s capital, Caine demonstrated calm under pressure, a quality that will serve him well in his new role.
“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,” Caine recalled in a 2023 CIA video. “Not only for the people on the ground, but for the country as a whole.” His leadership in that moment of crisis cemented his reputation as a steady hand in turbulent times.
Caine’s career also includes significant roles beyond the cockpit. From 2009 to 2016, he served in the National Guard, and between 2018 and 2019, he was deputy commander in the U.S. campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. His tenure as associate director for military affairs at the CIA, from November 2021 until his retirement in December 2024, further broadened his perspective, equipping him to navigate the complex interplay of military and intelligence operations.
Congratulations to Dan “Razin” Caine on his confirmation in the Senate as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Your leadership will be a welcomed/vital part of ensuring we return the Dept. of Defense back to the American warfighter. pic.twitter.com/TFmTrc6MUa
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 11, 2025
To assume the chairmanship, Caine was reinstated to active service and promoted to four-star general, a process that reflects the administration’s confidence in his ability to lead. His military biography also notes his entrepreneurial ventures, describing him as a “serial entrepreneur and investor.” According to his LinkedIn profile, Caine advises several venture capital firms and serves on the board of Voyager, a defense and space exploration company—an indication of his forward-thinking approach to national security.
President Trump’s personal connection to Caine adds a layer of intrigue to the general’s rise. At the 2019 Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump recounted their first meeting in Iraq, where Caine introduced himself by his nickname, “Razin.” “‘Raisin, like the fruit?’ He goes, ‘Yes, sir, Razin.’ ‘What’s your last name?’ ‘Caine. Razin Caine.’ I said, ‘You got to be kidding me,’” Trump recalled with characteristic flair. The exchange left an impression, with Trump noting Caine’s confidence that the Islamic State could be defeated in a week—a stark contrast to the two years projected by others.
“You’re the first one to ask us our opinion,” Caine told Trump, according to the president’s recollection. “So I went back and I said, ‘I’m going to get back to you soon, Razin. I think you’re great,’” Trump added. “I like you, Razin Caine.” The anecdote, retold at last year’s CPAC with slight variations, illustrates the trust Trump places in Caine—a trust that has now propelled him to the Pentagon’s top military post.
Caine’s confirmation hearing earlier this month offered a glimpse into his leadership philosophy. “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,” he told senators. His commitment to nonpartisanship addressed concerns about the politicization of the military, a topic that surfaced amid the broader Pentagon shakeup.
That shakeup, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saw the dismissal of several top officials, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Gen. Jim Slife, and others. Hegseth, a staunch Trump ally, argued that new leadership was needed to empower warfighters in an increasingly dangerous world. “The president respects leaders who untie the hands of warfighters in a very dangerous world,” Hegseth said on Fox News Sunday. “I think Dan Caine is the man to meet the moment.” The administration’s moves, while controversial among Democrats, align with its goal of restoring a military focused on strength and readiness.
Caine himself faced questions about the administration’s intentions during his hearing. When asked if he would resist unconstitutional orders, he was unequivocal. “I think that’s the duty and job that I have, yes,” he said. His response reaffirmed his dedication to the rule of law, easing some concerns while reinforcing his suitability for the role.
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