Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, nominated by President Donald Trump to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is scheduled to face questions from senators during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. Caine, a decorated F-16 combat pilot, has held leadership roles in various special operations commands and has been involved in highly classified Pentagon programs. However, he does not meet the standard qualifications for the Joint Chiefs chairman role, though these requirements can be waived by the president.
Caine’s nomination came just a day after Trump dismissed Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the former chairman, as part of a broader effort to remove military leaders perceived as supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Trump had met Caine in 2018 during a visit to U.S. troops in Iraq, and their encounter reportedly made a lasting impression on the president. Some claims suggest Caine wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat during the visit, though his associates deny this.
Described by former colleagues as a dedicated and serious officer, Caine has spent recent weeks engaging with both Democratic and Republican senators in preparation for his confirmation. This approach contrasts with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s own confirmation process, during which he met with fewer Democrats.
Since retiring in December, Caine would need to be reinstated to active duty if confirmed, after which he would be promoted to the rank of four-star general. His nomination is expected to prompt scrutiny from some Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats, particularly regarding his independence from Trump. This follows a strained relationship between Trump and former Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, who had pushed back against attempts to politicize the military and emphasized the military’s oath to the Constitution over loyalty to any president.
Caine’s career includes key roles such as commander of the joint special operations task force in Iraq (2008), assistant commanding general at Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, and deputy commanding general for the special operations joint task force during Operation Inherent Resolve. He also served as associate director for military affairs at the CIA from 2021 until his retirement.
After transitioning to the National Guard in 2009, Caine entered the private sector, including a role as an adviser at an investment firm linked to Jared Kushner’s brother. He has over 2,800 flying hours in the F-16 and has earned numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal with a bronze oak leaf cluster.
