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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has now forced out the Army's top officer
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ordering General Randy George to retire immediately. CBS News first reported the move, later confirmed by the Pentagon
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A spokesperson says George is stepping down, effective immediately, thanking him for decades of service
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George had been in the role since 2023 and was expected to stay through 2027
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Instead, Hegseth pushed for a change at the top, with one official telling CBS he wants leadership aligned with his and President Trump's vision for the Army
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This is the latest in a string of high-level shakeups inside the military
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Hegseth has already removed or replaced more than a dozen senior officers across multiple branches
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He has defended those decisions publicly, arguing allies and the military need to step up and follow a clearer mission
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CNN reports the move also ties into internal friction at the Pentagon
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George worked closely with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a key Trump ally
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But Hegseth viewed that relationship as a problem and at times saw Driscoll as a rival
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Officials say George's past role, working under former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the Biden administration
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also worked against him with the current leadership. The Pentagon made the announcement on social media, calling it an immediate retirement
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and thanking George for his service. Just days ago, George was still on the job visiting West Point and meeting with cadets
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The Academy posting photos of that visit highlighting his guidance to future Army leaders
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Now the Army's Vice Chief, General Christopher Laniv, a close Hegseth ally
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is expected to step in as Acting Chief
