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“Our standards are high, No compromise And it’s clear. ” –Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses’ Message to the Forces, January 25, 2025
Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Kane, chairman of President Donald Trump’s co-chief of staff, holds an extraordinary service record in Iraq, the Special Access Program and the National Guard. There is no doubt about his ability to lead, his commitment to our country, his character, courage, or ability.
However, these are not the qualifications required by law to become a senior service member in our military. Federal law requires that the chairman be active and serves one of three senior positions. Kane cannot meet any of these.
The President can waive most qualifications if he determines it is in our “national interest.” But the only justification that President Trump has said he abandoned these legal standards in this example is to remember him saying he “loved” Trump and “killed” for Trump, Kane proudly wore a Maga hat — as Trump erupted, would be a violation of federal law.
The general general who helped Trump destroy Isis terrorists in the first term was confirmed as co-chief chairman.
Oddly, Kane has denied that he did these things. Which means Kane lies, or he tells the truth, and isn’t justified by Trump.
For President Trump, “national interest” appears to mean personal loyalty.
Kane’s nomination is the latest example of President Trump’s pattern Presidential Pattern, multiple reckless, sudden bursts, and the army of officers who perform most from mission-critical roles. why? Was it because they have promised loyalty to the Constitution on his behalf? These shootings have absolutely nothing to do with supporting high standards. They are about prioritizing loyalty over qualifications and putting national security at risk in the process.
The only reason this chair’s vacancy exists in the first place is because President Trump unexpectedly fired General CQ Brown Jr. for serving in the role and excellence for his superiority, without a reason.
General Brown not only fulfilled the legal qualifications to become chairman. He embodied them. He brought 40 years of honorable service to the Air Force to oversee US military operations in at least six active war zones and advised the Secretary of Defense on his response to three tense international crises. Before becoming chairman, General Brown served as chief of staff in the Air Force, commanding the Pacific Air Force, flying over 3,100 hours in over 130 battles.
By firing such an exemplary officer and replacing him with someone who rightly or wrongly contests President Trump, our commander has declared his loyalty to him, and our commander sends a dangerous message to his loyalty, even with his commitment to supporting the law.
General Brown’s dishonorable treatment was not an isolated incident.
President Trump has fired at least 10 senior military officers, experts. Most of them are women or people of color, some of them (like Kane) are full of legal qualifications to become chairman.
These were the warriors at the top of their game: Major Lisa Franchetti, the first woman in the Navy, served as chief of the Navy operations. Lt. Gen. Lt. Gen. Linda Fagan, the first female Coast Guard commander to lead all seven continents. General Jennifer and Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short, Commander, Command Pilot, who completed more than 1,800 flight times during his 30-year career. Lieutenant General Territa Crossland was kicked out of the Defense Health Agency after a 32-year career.
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And this month, Trump served as Deputy Shawshana Chatfield, who has a 36-year career, including serving as the first female president of the Naval War College, and General Tim Howe, US cyber commander and director of the National Security Agency.
All of these were fired immediately by highly qualified military leaders, and Trump shouted that he would only hire the “best, most qualified” people, but chose to replace them by nominating completely unqualified appointees.
Trump’s employment decisions laugh at meritocracy, downplay the sacrifices of service members, and do nothing to strengthen our strength and national security. flat Five former defense secretaries “Nothing of this is about combat,” he agreed.
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Setting up a Loyalist at the top of the army is something that a dictator does when he is trying to take control of the government. Trump aims to infiltrate a culture of terror that makes it even more difficult for our service members to speak the truth for power and support their pledge to support and defend the Constitution.
What we saw is that what happens with Kane’s nomination is not unusual. It’s part of a deliberate purge of expertise from our military, eroding the very institutions that Americans rely on to keep them safe. My Republican colleagues need to stop making Trump’s dictatorial tendencies possible and start doing more to protect the service members who sacrificed so much for the rest of us.
