The Donald Trump administration has dismissed the U.S. Army’s highest-ranking officer, General Randy George, along with two other prominent leaders, in an abrupt military overhaul.
Insiders noted that the move comes while American troops are deeply engaged in a significant conflict with Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested George’s resignation, marking yet another departure from the top brass since Trump’s return to office about a year ago.
A specific public reason for the dismissal was not provided. George, a veteran commander, had been at the helm of the Army during active military strikes against Iran—operations that Trump has indicated will persist for several weeks.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced in a brief that George “will be retiring from his position, effective immediately.”
General George’s military career spanned nearly four decades, including several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served in critical capacities such as the Army’s vice chief of staff and as a top military aide to the former defense secretary, Lloyd Austin.
According to various reports, General Christopher LaNeve is set to step in as the acting chief of staff. Hegseth has previously praised him as “a battle-tested leader with decades of operational experience.”
The shake-up also saw the removal of two other high-ranking officers: General David Hodne and Major General William Green Jr.
This latest shift is part of a broader restructuring under the current administration. Previously, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., was removed without a stated cause shortly after Trump took office.
A string of other elite officials across the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and various intelligence agencies have either been terminated or have chosen to resign.
While Hegseth has stood by these transitions, asserting that the president has the right to select his own leadership team, several lawmakers have expressed worries regarding potential political interference within the traditionally non-partisan U.S. military.