Pete Hegseth, the United States Defence Secretary, has asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George to step down with immediate effect, amid ongoing tensions between the US and Israel in their conflict with Iran.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed George’s departure in a statement posted on X late Thursday, saying the general “will be retiring from his position,” but did not provide a reason for the sudden exit during wartime. Parnell added that the defence department “is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation.”
George’s removal, first reported by CBS News, is the latest in a series of high-profile dismissals in the US Army since Hegseth assumed office in January. CBS cited a source claiming that Hegseth wanted someone in the role aligned with his and President Donald Trump’s vision for the military.
Appointed in 2023 under former President Joe Biden, the 61-year-old general served in multiple international postings, including Iraq and Afghanistan. As chief of staff, he was credited with reducing redundancies in the army and integrating technologies such as affordable missile interceptor drones and AI-powered targeting systems.
According to The New York Times, tensions between George and Hegseth escalated over the defence secretary’s decision to block the promotion of four army officers out of a list of 29.
The move, which included two women and two Black officers, prompted questions from senior officials about potential racial and gender bias.
George reportedly requested a meeting to discuss the matter, which Hegseth refused. Rumours of George’s firing circulated for weeks before he was informed by phone on Thursday afternoon.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff paid tribute to the outgoing general on social media, stating, “Since 1988, General George and his family have consistently answered the nation’s call with honor and dedication. We are profoundly thankful to General George and his wife, Patty, for their many years of sacrifice and devotion to those who serve. We wish them continued happiness and success in all that lies ahead.”
On the same day, Hegseth also reportedly dismissed two other senior officials: General David M. Hodne, head of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green Jr., the army’s chief of chaplains. Their removal has not been officially confirmed by the Pentagon.
Army chaplains traditionally provide spiritual care, moral guidance, and confidential counselling to soldiers and their families. The role has drawn scrutiny as US and Israeli officials have framed the Iran conflict in religious terms.
In March, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) received complaints that some service members were told the war is intended to “cause Armageddon” or the biblical “end times.”
George’s exit follows other recent departures in the army, including the early retirement of former vice chief of staff General James J. Mingus in October, for undisclosed reasons.
