New Delhi: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday asked US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement even as the ongoing US-Israel and Rran war escalates.
The Pentagon has confirmed that George, who is the Army’s top uniformed officer, has been asked to resign. Speculation is also rife that FBI Director Kash Patel, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer are also planning to leave the Trump administration, the Atlantic reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with White House plans.
Hegseth has removed more than dozens of top generals and admirals since he assumed office last year. George’s removal is the latest in a series of firings or early retirements of Army officials.
Last February, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top uniformed officer, and General Jim Silfe, the Air Force’s No 2 leader, were fired by Hegseth who is seeking to implement President Donald Trump’s national security agenda. Trump also removed General Charles “CQ” Brown, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
George was appointed as the Army Chief admiral in 2023. He previously served as the vice chief of the Army and as the senior military adviser to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He was also Austin’s top military aide from 2021 to 2022 during the Bien administration.