Pete Hegseth dismisses US Army chief of staff

Randy George, the US Army Chief of Staff, was dismissed on Thursday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to three US defense officials who spoke to Reuters, marking the latest shake-up among the Pentagon’s top leadership.

Although Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has been moving swiftly to reshape the department, removing a senior general during wartime is almost unprecedented.

The Pentagon confirmed that George—who had more than a year remaining in his tenure—“will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately,” expressing gratitude for his decades of service and wishing him well.

Two officials, speaking anonymously, said Hegseth also dismissed General David Hodne, head of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green.

No official reason was given for George’s departure, which comes as US forces are being reinforced in the Middle East amid ongoing operations against Iran. While most strikes are being carried out by the Navy and Air Force, Army personnel have been deployed for air defense roles. The Army remains the largest US military branch, with roughly 450,000 active-duty troops.

Meanwhile, thousands of troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the region, potentially in preparation for ground operations in Iran.

Latest upheaval at the Pentagon

There had been no public indication of tensions between Hegseth and George, even as the defense secretary pursued controversial decisions, including dismissing the Army’s top lawyer and organizing a large military parade marking the Army’s 250th anniversary—coinciding with Donald Trump’s birthday.

Earlier in the week, Hegseth also overturned an Army probe into helicopter flights near musician Kid Rock’s home, a move widely seen as supportive of the outspoken Trump ally. However, CBS News reported that the investigation was unrelated to George’s dismissal.

One official said General Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s vice chief of staff and a former aide to Hegseth, will serve as acting chief.

Another official noted that senior Army leaders were informed of George’s removal at the same time it became public.

An infantry officer with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, George was confirmed as Army chief in 2023—a role that typically carries a four-year term. He previously served as vice chief of staff and as a senior military adviser to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He was also considered close to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, with whom he worked on efforts to accelerate weapons development and reduce costs.

George’s dismissal adds to broader turbulence within the Pentagon’s leadership, following last year’s removal of former Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown, as well as changes involving the Navy’s top officer and the Air Force vice chief.

George’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.