US Army Chief of Staff Randy George has been asked to step down by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and retire immediately, two US defense officials and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has moved quickly to overhaul the department, firing high-ranking generals and admirals as he seeks to implement Trump’s national security agenda.
Sources did not indicate why Hegseth asked George to leave. The information was initially reported by CBS News.
George, an infantry officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was confirmed for the Army’s top job in 2023. The term in that role typically lasts four years.
Before assuming the role of Chief of Staff, George was deputy chief of the Army and, before that, senior military advisor to then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
George’s removal adds to recent instability at all levels of , including last year’s dismissal of former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General CQ Brown, as well as the chief of naval operations and vice chief of staff of the Air Force.
George’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
