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Defense Secretary orders immediate departure of Army leader
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has relieved Army Chief of Staff Randy George of his duties with immediate effect, the Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday.
Official statement and transition
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced on social media that George, the 41st Army Chief of Staff, would retire from his post. The move ends George's tenure ahead of the standard four-year term.
George, a West Point graduate and career infantry officer, was appointed to the role by former President Joe Biden in 2023. His service included deployments in the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
"The Department of Defense is grateful for General George's decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement."
Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson
Reason for removal unclear
No specific explanation was provided for George's sudden departure. A senior defense official, speaking anonymously to CBS News, stated, "We are grateful for his service, but it was time for a leadership change in the Army."
George's removal follows a broader pattern of senior military leadership changes under Hegseth, who has dismissed over a dozen top officers since taking office, including the Chief of Naval Operations and the Air Force's Vice Chief of Staff.
Successor named
Army Vice Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve will assume the role of acting Army Chief of Staff, according to US media reports. Parnell described LaNeve as "a battle-tested leader with decades of operational experience" and noted he is "completely trusted" by Hegseth to advance the administration's objectives.
Recent public engagements
On Wednesday, the US Military Academy at West Point shared images of George meeting with cadets, where he offered "experience-driven guidance" to future officers. The timing of the announcement followed shortly after.
Broader context
The leadership shakeup occurs amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Earlier in the day, former President Donald Trump stated in a national address that the US-Israel conflict with Iran is expected to conclude "very shortly."
