Reference News Network reported on April 16 that according to a report by AP on April 14, after completing a series of formalities, General Dan Kane was sworn in as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His predecessor was dismissed by President Trump, leaving the position vacant for nearly two months.
In his address released on the Joint Staff website, Kane said that the U.S. military needs to be well-equipped, globally coordinated, and ready to win. He stated that to achieve this, the U.S. military must keep pace with technological and strategic changes, promote innovation, and have the ability to adapt quickly.
Kane, an award-winning F-16 fighter pilot and a highly respected officer, will complete the remaining term of his predecessor, General Charles Quinton Brown, who was also an Air Force general. Trump previously dismissed Brown as part of a larger purge of military officers believed to support diversity and equity programs.
Kane's term as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will last until September 30, 2027.
Since he has never served as a combat commander or head of a service branch, Kane does not meet the basic legal requirements to hold the position. Therefore, Trump had to sign a waiver allowing him to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Kane is the first officer in U.S. history to be recalled from retirement to active duty and appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Early in his military career, he spent much of his time as a pilot and instructor, accumulating 2,800 hours of flight time, including over 100 hours of combat time.
Subsequently, he held leadership positions in various special operations commands, some of the most classified projects in the Pentagon, and at the CIA. He also worked as a researcher at the White House.
His last post before retiring last year was as the Deputy Director for Military Affairs at the CIA.
At the time of his retirement, he held the rank of three-star general.
In his confirmation hearing before the Senate earlier this month, Kane stated that he would provide frank advice to Trump and vowed not to engage in politics.
When asked how he would respond if ordered to command troops to do something potentially illegal (such as enforcing domestic law against civilians), he told senators that raising objections to such orders was "my duty".
Trump's relationship with Kane dates back to Trump's first term as President. As Trump described in a speech in 2019, they met during a trip to Iraq. He said Kane was "a real general, not a general on TV". (Compiled/translated by Liu Zongya)
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493745702317720104/
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