Hegseth Fires US Army Chief in Rare Pentagon Shake-Up

US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George was removed from his post on Thursday by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a rare wartime shake-up at the Pentagon.

Three US defence officials said George was dismissed as part of the latest purge among the military’s top ranks. The Pentagon later confirmed that George, who still had more than a year left in his term, would retire “effective immediately” from his role as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army.

In a brief statement, the Pentagon thanked George for his decades of service and wished him well in retirement, but gave no reason for his sudden departure.

The move comes as the United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East and carrying out operations against Iran. Although recent strikes have mainly involved the Navy and Air Force, the Army has also deployed troops to the region to support air defence systems.

The Army, the largest branch of the US military, has around 450,000 active-duty soldiers. Thousands of troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division have also begun arriving in the Middle East, potentially for any future ground operations.

Two officials also said Hegseth removed General David Hodne, who heads the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green, the chief of the Army Chaplain Corps.

Fresh Turmoil at the Pentagon

George’s dismissal is seen as one of the most striking personnel decisions yet under Hegseth, a former television host who has moved aggressively to reshape the Defence Department.

There had been no public indication of tension between Hegseth and George before the removal. However, Hegseth has recently drawn attention for a series of controversial decisions, including the dismissal of the Army’s top lawyer and plans for a large military parade marking the Army’s 250th anniversary.

Earlier this week, he also reversed a decision to investigate Army helicopter pilots who flew near singer Kid Rock’s home, in what was widely seen as a gesture of support for the outspoken Trump ally. Officials said George’s dismissal was unrelated to that incident.

One official said General Christopher LaNeve, the Army vice chief of staff and Hegseth’s former military aide, will take over George’s responsibilities in an acting capacity. Another official said senior Army leaders learned of the firing only when it became public.

George, an infantry officer with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, was confirmed as Army chief in 2023. Before taking the top post, he served as vice chief of staff and earlier as senior military adviser to then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

His removal adds to a broader pattern of upheaval at the Pentagon, following recent changes in several top military positions, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations and the Air Force vice chief of staff.