Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth forces out Army's top officer

NBC News -   Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, four U.S. military officials said. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed George’s departure in a statement Thursday, saying on X that the Army's top officer would be “retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately.”

Hegseth has long eyed removing George, who took the chief post in September 2023. The defense secretary has removed other senior officials he believes are associated with previous administrations. George served as senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.

George was expected to remain in the job for longer, at least until next summer, according to four officials. April 2, 2026, 5:48 PM EDT

By Courtney Kube, Mosheh Gains and Gordon Lubold

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, four U.S. military officials said.

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Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed George’s departure in a statement Thursday, saying on X that the Army's top officer would 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,” Parnell added.

Image: FILE: U.S. Army Chief of Staff Asked To Step Down President Trump Awards Medal Of Honor To Three Military Veterans

Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George attends a Medal of Honor Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 2.Win McNamee / Getty Images file

Hegseth has long eyed removing George, who took the chief post in September 2023. The defense secretary has removed other senior officials he believes are associated with previous administrations. George served as senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.

George was expected to remain in the job for longer, at least until next summer, according to four officials. Hegseth asked George to retire effective immediately. It is unclear who will serve as Army chief, but Hegseth had recently pushed for the installation of Gen. Christopher LaNeve as the vice-chief of the Army, and two officials have said Hegseth made the move to prepare LaNeve to ultimately take over as chief.