The Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lt Gen Dan Razin Caine to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, filling the position almost two months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor. Trump nominated Caine to become the top US military officer in February after abruptly firing Gen CQ Brown Jr, the second Black general to serve as chairman, as part of his administration's campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. The Senate confirmed Caine 60-25 in an overnight vote before heading home for a two-week recess. Caine is a decorated F-16 combat pilot who served in leadership in multiple special operations commands, in some of the Pentagon's most classified programs and in the CIA. He does not meet prerequisites for the job set out in a 1986 law, such as being a combatant commander or service chief. But those requirements can be waived by the president if there is a determination that such action is necessary
Her appointment was confirmed by US Vice President-elect JD Vance who said that Wiles would serve as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in the history of the US
The decision comes as the Trump administration has faced criticism for its handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak
General John Kelly is currently Homeland Security secretary, served in military for nearly 5 decades