WASHINGTON – The United States has ousted its top army general with immediate effect amid ongoing war with Iran.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down from his position, according to international media.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the development in a post on social media, stating that Gen George “will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately”.
In the US, the army chief is appointed for a period of four years. Georage, who was nominated for the role in 2023 during former president Joe Biden’s tenure, has been asked to quit the post before completion of his term.
The latest shakeup comes after Trump said in an address to the nation that the US-Israel war with Iran is expected to conclude “very shortly”.
“We are grateful for his service, but it was time for a leadership change in the Army,” an unnamed senior defence official told CBS.
The Pentagon spokesperson said, “The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.”
Who is US’ Acting Army Chief of Staff
Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen Christopher LaNeve has been appointed as the acting army chief of staff, according to US media.
Parnell said LaNeve is “a battle-tested leader with decades of operational experience and is completely trusted by Secretary Hegseth to carry out the vision of this administration without fault”.
