Trump's Top Military Adviser Nominee Denies Being a Loyalist

Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, President Donald Trump's choice for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowed to serve in the role apolitically, contradicting Trump's claims that he is a loyal supporter. At his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Caine denied ever wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, despite Trump's repeated assertions that he did so during their meeting in Iraq in 2018.

Caine told the Senate Armed Services Committee, "For 34 years, I've upheld my oath of office and my commitment to my commission, and I have never worn any political merchandise." He added that he believes Trump was referring to someone else when telling the story.

Caine's nomination comes after Trump fired the previous chairman, Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, about a year and a half into his four-year term. Brown, who is Black, was criticized by conservatives for promoting diversity in the military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Caine's nomination.

Trump has a history of clashing with military officers who disagree with him, including Gen. Mark Milley, who apologized for appearing with Trump in uniform during a photo op in June 2020. Milley has since called Trump a fascist, and Trump has suggested Milley should be executed for being a traitor.

In contrast, Trump has portrayed Caine as a loyalist who praised him during their meeting in Iraq. However, Caine denied this, stating that he would provide his best military advice, even if it contradicts Trump's views.

Caine's nomination has raised concerns due to his lack of experience in key roles. However, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker argued that Caine's experience as an Air Force fighter pilot and his relationships with other services make him qualified for the role.

Democrats have expressed concerns about Brown's firing, but indicated that they do not hold Caine responsible for the circumstances of his nomination. Sen. Tim Kaine stated that Caine's career demonstrates his ability to provide candid advice, and he is likely to receive bipartisan support for his confirmation.