US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down and retire immediately, they told Reuters this Thursday (2) two United States defense officials and a source familiar with the matter.
Hegseth, a former host of Fox Newshas moved quickly to reshape the department, firing high-ranking generals and admirals as it seeks to implement Trump’s national security agenda.
The sources did not indicate why Hegseth asked George to leave his position. The change was first reported by CBS News.
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George, an infantry officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was confirmed to the Army’s highest post in 2023. Terms in that role typically last four years.
Before holding the top job, George was deputy chief of the Army and, before that, senior military adviser to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
George’s removal adds to recent turmoil at all levels of leadership at the Pentagon, including last year’s firing of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, as well as the chief of naval operations and the vice chief of staff of the Air Force.
George’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
