On April 11, the U.S. Senate approved the appointment of retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Kane as the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Sixty senators voted in favor of his candidacy, while 25 opposed. Kane received support from both Republicans and Democrats, despite objections from the latter regarding the speed of the confirmation process.
Before the confirmation, the Senate reinstated Kane’s military rank, as the law requires the chairman to be an active-duty officer. Kane had previously retired with the rank of major general.
Kane is a former F-16 pilot and a National Guard veteran, with additional experience in entrepreneurship and investment. His most recent position was Deputy Director of the CIA for Military Affairs, from which he retired in 2024.
Kane’s appointment sets a precedent: no previous U.S. president had ever dismissed a sitting chairman and appointed a retired officer to the role.
General Charles Brown, Kane’s predecessor, was dismissed by Donald Trump in February of this year.
