Hegseth fires Army’s top officer, Gen. Randy George
A Defence Department official confirmed a report that George has been asked to step down by Hegseth.
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed the US Army’s 41st Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy George.
The news was first reported by CBS News. A Defense Department official confirmed the report to Breaking Defense, but would not provide further information.
After publication, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on X that “General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.”
It is not immediately clear who will replace George, but it is suspected that Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who was recently sworn in as the service’s new vice chief of staff, will replace him. LaNeve, a former 82nd Airborne Division commander, replaced Gen. James Mingus, who retired a full two years earlier than expected. (With George’s exit being “effective immediately,” LaNeve will likely slot in as the acting chief until a full confirmation process can be arranged.)
Notably, LaNeve served as a military aide to Hegseth. The secretary posted a congratulatory message after LaNeve was confirmed, calling him a “generational leader” who “will help ensure the Army revives the warrior ethos, rebuilds for the modern battlefield, and deters our enemies around the world.”
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/hegseth-fires-armys-top-officer-gen-randy-ge...