John Caine Confirmed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Caine assumes the role after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor.
In a late-night session before a two week recess, the U.S. Senate held a recorded vote to confirm one individual nominated by President Donald Trump - specifically the person leading the entire U.S. military.
In a 60-25 vote, John D. Caine was confirmed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the term expiring September 30, 2027. The position has been led by an acting official since February 2025, when General Charles Q. Brown Jr. was fired after serving since October 2023.
44 Republicans, 15 Democrats and one Independent approved Caine’s nomination. 25 Democrats voted in opposition. 15 Senators (9 Republicans, 5 Democrats and 1 Independent) did not vote.
Caine was nominated to this position by Trump in February 2025. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1990 and retired in 2024 with the rank of Lieutenant General. Notably, he had to come out of retirement and be promoted to General in order to be confirmed to this position. Nevertheless, he will become the second consecutive Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to come from the U.S. Air Force.
From 2018 to 2019, Caine served as Deputy Commanding General for Operation Inherent Resolve. From 2019 to 2021, he was Director of Special-Access Programs in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. And finally, he served as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency from 2021 to 2024.