Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to retire immediately. The decision removes the Army’s top officer years before the expected end of his term and places a close Hegseth ally in line to take over.
The Pentagon confirmed the decision Thursday hours after CBS News first broke the story. In a statement on X, Chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said George’s retirement takes effect immediately and thanked him for decades of service.
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George, a career infantry officer, has served as Army chief of staff since September 2023. The position typically carries a four-year term.
Leadership shift tied to control
Defense officials say Hegseth wants someone who will execute his and President Donald Trump’s direction without friction. One official said Hegseth wants tighter control at the top of the Army.
George’s background worked against him. Before taking the job, he served as senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration — a role closely tied to the previous administration.
Friction inside the Pentagon
CNN reports the decision grew out of tension inside the Pentagon. George worked closely with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a senior official with strong White House ties. Hegseth viewed that dynamic as a problem and, at times, as a competing power center.
Hegseth has removed or sidelined more than a dozen senior military leaders across the services, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and top Navy and Air Force officers.
Successor already in place
The Army’s vice chief, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, is expected to step in as acting chief. Hegseth moved him into that role earlier this year, positioning him to take the job.
Parnell called LaNeve “completely trusted” to carry out the administration’s vision.
Change comes during active conflict
The change comes while U.S. forces remain engaged in the war with Iran. Trump said this week the conflict could end soon and said more strikes are likely.
George was still on the job days ago. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point posted photos of him speaking with cadets.
