U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and retire immediately, according to multiple sources familiar with the decision.
The move marks a significant leadership shift within the U.S. Army, as officials indicate the Pentagon is seeking alignment with the administration’s strategic direction. One source stated that Hegseth is looking to install leadership that will fully implement the vision of President Donald Trump and the Department of Defense.
A senior Pentagon official said, “We are grateful for his service, but it was time for a leadership change in the Army.”
Gen. George, a career infantry officer and graduate of United States Military Academy at West Point, had been serving as Army Chief of Staff since 2023 after being nominated by former President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate. His term was expected to run until 2027.
Throughout his career, George participated in major U.S. military operations, including the Gulf War, as well as deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served as the senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Following his departure, Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve will assume the role as acting Army Chief. Pentagon officials described LaNeve as a “battle-tested leader” with extensive operational experience and strong trust from current leadership.
This decision comes amid a broader wave of senior military leadership changes under Hegseth, including the removal of several top officials across different branches and intelligence agencies.
Officials noted that the decision to remove Gen. George is not connected to a recent helicopter-related controversy, emphasizing that the move is part of a wider leadership restructuring effort within the Department of Defense.
⸻
