United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has asked the Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to step down and requested his immediate retirement in a major development amid the ongoing Iran war, CBS News reported, citing sources.
The move signals a significant transition at the top of the Army as the administration looks to install leadership aligned with President Donald Trump and Hegseth’s strategic vision.
Immediate Exit Confirmed By Pentagon
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the development, stating that General George “will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, effective immediately.”
He added that the Department of War is grateful for George’s “decades of service to our nation” and extended best wishes for his future.
A senior Defence Department official also indicated that the decision was part of a broader need for change, saying, “We are grateful for his service, but it was time for a leadership change in the Army.”
Christopher LaNeve Named Successor
General Christopher LaNeve, currently the Vice Chief of Staff, has taken over as the acting Army chief. LaNeve, a former military aide to Hegseth, previously commanded the 82nd Airborne Division.
Parnell described him as “a battle-tested leader with decades of operational experience” who is “completely trusted” to execute the administration’s vision.
Who Is Randy George?
A West Point graduate and career infantry officer, General George had been serving as Army Chief since his Senate confirmation in 2023. His tenure was originally expected to run until 2027.
He previously served as senior military assistant to former Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and held key roles during deployments in the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Just days before his retirement, George visited West Point, where he shared “experience-driven guidance” with cadets preparing for leadership roles.
General George’s removal comes amid a sweeping restructuring of the US military leadership under Hegseth. More than a dozen senior officers have reportedly been dismissed, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General C. Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.
It is thus unclear what prompted the decision. But the CBS report said that there were some concerns around George’s ability to carry out Trump’s plans for the US Army.
The changes also follow a controversial intervention by Hegseth in an Army disciplinary case, where he overruled the suspension of an aircrew involved in a flyby near a celebrity’s residence, posting on social media: “No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
However, sources clarified that George’s removal is not linked to that incident.
