General Randy George was fired after clashing with the US Secretary of War over the promotion of black and female military officers, reports claim.
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, the service’s top uniformed officer, in an ongoing controversy over promotions linked to race and gender, The New York Times reported Thursday. Hegseth also reportedly fired two other generals over fears of undermining the US war on Iran.
Sources familiar with the matter told the newspaper that Hegseth ordered George, a 61-year-old veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, to retire immediately, describing the move as rooted not in a policy disagreement but in a disagreement with the secretary. “A long standing complaint against the Army and its leadership” and a troubled relationship with Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll.
Hegseth did not give a reason for the dismissal, but vowed to purge the department first. “woken up” Fight the practice of promotion based on culture and race and gender quotas.
At the center of the fallout was Hegseth’s months-long campaign to allegedly remove four officers – two black men and two women – from the one-star promotion list, which included about 29 other officers, the majority of whom were white men.
According to the NYT, George and Driscoll pushed back, citing officials. “Long record of exemplary service.” About two weeks before his dismissal, George reportedly sought a meeting with Hegseth to discuss the removal and what he saw as unnecessary interference in Army personnel decisions – Hegseth’s request was denied.
George also served as senior military assistant to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin under the Biden administration.
NYT sources also noted that George and Driscoll had formed a “Tight Partnership,” There were reportedly differences of opinion with Hegseth.
“Hegseth can’t fire Driscoll,” an unnamed administration official told the Washington Post. “So he’s going to make his life hell.”
According to the WaPo report, Hegseth also fired Gen. David Hodney, head of the U.S. Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., head of the chaplain. No official reason was given for any of the shootings.
George’s term was not scheduled to expire until 2027. According to the NYT, as Army chief, he led initiatives aimed at deploying new drone technologies and AI-powered targeting systems, while opposing a new light tank program, arguing that it was too vulnerable to cheap UAVs. General Christopher LaNway – once Hegseth’s top military aide – is expected to serve as acting army chief of staff.
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