Army Chief of Staff General Randy George speaks to US Soldiers at the Hohenfels Training Area in southern Germany, on February 6, 2025. ARMIN WEIGEL / AFP
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has asked General Randy George to step down as chief of staff of the US Army, an official said Thursday, April 2. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a report from US broadcaster CBS that said George had been asked to take immediate retirement. The reason for the request was not immediately known, but CBS quoted a source as saying Hegseth wanted someone who would implement his and Trump's vision for the Army.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later posted a statement on X that said George "will be retiring from his position... effective immediately," without specifying a reason.
George is the latest senior military officer to be ousted during Donald Trump's second term, and his removal as the top Army officer comes with the United States engaged in a war with Iran that the president has indicated could last for several more weeks. During a nearly four-decade military career, George deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times and also served in positions including vice chief of staff of the Army and senior military assistant to Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin during Joe Biden's term as president.
