US Defense Secretary Demands Army Chief of Staff to "Resign and Retire Immediately"

The US Defense Secretary has demanded that the Army Chief of Staff "resign and retire immediately," expressing a desire for a replacement who can "implement the defense policy vision of President Trump." This development follows the dismissal of several other senior officials.

A US Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed on the 2nd that US Army Chief of Staff Randy George will soon resign. Earlier, American media reported that Defense Secretary Hagseath had requested George to resign and retire immediately.

The spokesperson stated in a social media announcement that George "will immediately step down from his role as the 41st Chief of Staff of the US Army." No reason was provided for his departure.

The Army Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking military officer in the US Army, typically serving a four-year term. George has held this position since 2023.

Earlier that day, CBS was the first to report the news of Hagseath's demand for George's resignation. An unnamed US government official stated that Hagseath wishes to appoint a successor who can carry out the military vision shared by President Trump and himself.

Reports indicate that the current Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Christopher Lanive, who previously served as Hagseath's military assistant, is likely under consideration to succeed George. Subsequent reports from US media, citing an anonymous Pentagon official, suggested that Lanive will be appointed as the Acting Army Chief of Staff. This appointment has not yet been officially announced.

Since January of last year, the Trump administration has dismissed several senior military leaders and officials. Since taking office, Defense Secretary Hagseath has promoted large-scale reforms within the Department of Defense, calling for a reduction of at least 20% in the number of active-duty four-star generals. Several high-ranking US military officials, including the then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown, the Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of Cyber Command Timothy Hough, the Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti, the Commandant of the Coast Guard Linda Fagan, and the Defense Secretary's Senior Military Assistant Jennifer Short, have been either dismissed or forced into early retirement.