Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, four U.S. military officials said.
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Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed George’s departure in a statement Thursday, saying on X that the Army’s top officer would be “retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately.”
“The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement,” Parnell added.
Hegseth has long eyed removing George, who began his post in September 2023. The defense secretary has removed other senior officials he believes are associated with previous administrations. George served as senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.
George was expected to remain in the job for longer, at least until summer, according to four officials. He would have normally retired from his position later this year or next year.
Hegseth asked George to retire effective immediately. It is unclear who will serve as Army chief, but Hegseth had recently pushed for the installation of Gen. Christopher LaNeve as the vice-chief of the Army, and two officials have said Hegseth made the move to prepare LaNeve to ultimately take over as chief.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
