Hegseth removes Army's top general during Iran war

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/army-transformation-george-driscoll-cuts" target="_blank">Gen. Randy George to leave his post, a Defense official confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: George is the Army's most senior general and is being removed during the https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran war.

Axios could not immediately confirm the reasons for his ouster, which was first reported by https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-ousts-army-chief-of-staff-gen-randy-george/" target="_blank">CBS.

The big picture: Then-President https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/joe-biden" target="_blank">Biden nominated George in 2023 for the role, which would typically have been a four-year term.

Hegseth asked him to retire immediately, the Defense official said.

• George began his career as an infantry officer and served in Operation Desert Storm.
• Axios https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/82nd-airborne-army-jrtc-louisiana" target="_blank">interviewed George last week during a visit to the Army's 82nd Airborne in Louisiana, though he would not discuss the war in Iran at any length.
• Elements of the 82nd Airborne are now on their way to the Middle East.

Zoom out: George is the latest in a https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/beck-kruse-pentagon-hegseth-fired" target="_blank">string of generals and admirals to be removed by Hegseth over the past year.

• Southern Command chief https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/venezuela-boat-strikes-admiral-retire" target="_blank">Adm. Alvin Holsey left his post during the operation to target alleged drug boats off of Venezuela, which he was overseeing.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.