Trump Picks Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as Joint Chiefs Chair \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump has selected retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as his choice for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr.. Caine, who retired in December, is known for his nontraditional background, including his service in the National Guard and private sector. While not meeting the traditional requirements for the role, Trump sees Caine as a strategic outsider. The nomination comes amid broader military leadership changes by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who are reshaping the Pentagon’s priorities.
Dan Caine’s Joint Chiefs Nomination Quick Looks
- Trump’s Pick: Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine selected as Joint Chiefs Chairman
- Firing of CQ Brown: Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. removed after 16 months in the role
- Caine’s Military Background: F-16 fighter pilot, National Guard experience, Pentagon intelligence leader
- Nontraditional Choice: Lacks required experience as a combatant commander or service chief
- Trump’s Justification: Calls Caine a “real general, not a television general”
- Senate Confirmation Hurdle: Caine must be recalled to active duty and confirmed by the Senate
- Past Controversy: Trump claimed Caine wore a MAGA hat, which military officials deny
- Ongoing Pentagon Shakeup: Part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape military leadership
Deep Look
President Donald Trump has named retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as his choice for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant shift in military leadership. Caine’s selection follows Trump’s ouster of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., who had served in the role for 16 months.
The announcement, made via Trump’s social media post on Truth Social, is part of a broader effort by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reshape the Pentagon’s leadership. The administration has been pushing out military officers who previously supported diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, instead prioritizing battlefield effectiveness and military readiness.
Who Is Dan Caine? A Nontraditional Choice for Joint Chiefs Chair
Caine, who retired in December, does not meet the traditional prerequisites for the role of Joint Chiefs Chairman, which typically requires experience as a combatant commander or service chief. However, a 1986 law allows the president to waive these requirements, a possibility that remains under discussion.
Chris Miller, who served as Trump’s last acting defense secretary, defended the choice, calling Caine a strategic outsider with deep Pentagon knowledge.
“I know he’s nontraditional, but that’s kind of what this administration looks for,” Miller said. “He’s spent time as a citizen-soldier, worked in the private sector, and knows how the Pentagon operates. He’ll bring a fresh perspective.”
Caine’s longtime service in the National Guard, along with his leadership in the military’s Special Access Program Central Office, has given him firsthand experience with sensitive defense programs. His background in classified intelligence operations and foreign weapons-sharing agreements sets him apart from previous Joint Chiefs chairmen.
Trump and Caine: A Bond Formed in Iraq
Trump’s relationship with Caine dates back to his first term, when the two met during a 2018 visit to Iraq. Trump fondly recalled the encounter during speeches at CPAC in 2019 and again in 2023.
During their meeting, Trump reportedly questioned why the war against ISIS was dragging on. According to Trump’s retelling, Caine responded:
“If we did it my way, we could wipe them out in a week. We’re only hitting them from a temporary base in Syria, but if you let us strike from all directions, they won’t know what hit them.”
Trump has since praised Caine as a decisive leader, calling him “a real general, not a television general”, a clear swipe at other top military officials.
At a Miami event last week, Trump reinforced his stance:
“We have the greatest military in the world, but we don’t have the greatest leadership. That’s why Afghanistan was such a disaster. But when we have the right leadership, there’s nobody even close to us.”
Is Caine a Trump Loyalist? Questions Surround His Political Stance
Following CQ Brown’s abrupt firing, speculation grew that Trump was seeking a loyalist to fill the top military role. Trump’s past remarks have further fueled these questions.
At CPAC in 2023, Trump recounted meeting Caine, saying:
“He said, ‘I’ll kill for you, sir,’ and then put on a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat.”
However, multiple military officials disputed this version of events, insisting that Caine has never worn a MAGA hat and has maintained an apolitical stance throughout his career.
One senior officer who served with Caine and remains close to him told reporters:
“Gen. Caine doesn’t have a MAGA hat. He’s never put one on. He’s a professional soldier, not a politician.”
While Trump has publicly aligned himself with military officers who support his vision, Caine’s record suggests he is more of an independent-minded leader who prioritizes military strategy over politics.
Caine’s Military Background and Leadership Experience
A career F-16 fighter pilot, Caine followed in his father’s footsteps, growing up in a family of military aviators. He served in a variety of command and intelligence roles, including a recent assignment with the CIA.
Speaking in a January 2024 episode of “The Afterburn Podcast”, Caine reflected on his career:
“I grew up as the son of a fighter pilot. This was our family business. Flying military aircraft is epically cool, but it’s about something deeper—it’s about protecting and defending our country.”
In addition to his time in the National Guard and active-duty Air Force, Caine led the Pentagon’s Special Access Program Central Office, where he managed highly classified weapons programs and advised top defense officials on foreign technology-sharing agreements.
Chris Miller, who worked with Caine at the Pentagon, described his past role as one of the most challenging positions in the Defense Department:
“You have to be really, really adept to handle all the political and congressional oversight that comes with that job. Caine knows how to navigate the system, and that’s a critical skill for a Joint Chiefs Chairman.”
What Happens Next? Will Caine Be Confirmed?
Caine’s nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation, where he may face significant opposition from lawmakers questioning his lack of traditional qualifications and Trump’s motivations for selecting him.
Several senators, including Democrats and some Republicans, have already raised concerns about Trump’s military shakeups, particularly his firing of CQ Brown and other top officers.
Another major question remains: What steps are required to recall Caine to active-duty service? While it is legally possible, such a move is rare and would require formal approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee.
As Caine prepares for Senate hearings, he will need to address concerns about his experience, leadership approach, and potential political affiliations. His confirmation process is likely to be closely watched, as it will signal how Trump intends to reshape the U.S. military in his second term.
For now, the Pentagon—and the country—awaits the outcome of one of the most unconventional military nominations in modern history.
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