By A Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, confirmed that George has been asked to take early retirement from the post of Army chief of staff, which he has held since August 2023.
The ousting of George is just the latest of more than a dozen firings of top generals and admirals by Hegseth since he first took office last year. CBS News was first to report the ousting.
George is a graduate of West Point Military Academy and an infantry officer who served in the first Gulf War as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also served as Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s top military aide from 2021 to 2022, during the Biden administration, before taking on top leadership roles in the Army.
George survived the initial round of firings last February, which saw the removal of top military leaders, including Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top uniformed officer, and General Jim Silfe, the No 2 leader at the Air Force, by Hegseth.
