WASHINGTON (Kashmir English): US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has ordered Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to resign and retire immediately, causing a stir in the US military leadership.
The US broadcaster has reported, citing sources, that Pete Hegseth wants to bring to this important position someone who can fully implement US President Donald Trump and his vision of defense policy.
A senior defense official said that General Randy George’s services are valuable, but now it is time for a change of leadership in the army. General Randy George has been an experienced infantry officer and a graduate of the US Military Academy.
He served in the first Gulf War, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, while Randy George was nominated for the position by former President Joe Biden in 2023 and his term was expected to end in 2027.
According to the report, the current Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Christopher Laneve, is being appointed as the new chief on an interim basis. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described him as an experienced and trusted leader who can implement the current administration’s vision.
The decision comes at a time when Hegseth has already removed dozens of senior military officers from their positions, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman C.Q. Brown, Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchitti and other top officials.
Trump says US ‘very close’ to achieving objectives in Iran
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump Thursday said the US was “going to finish the job” and was “very close” to achieving its objectives in Iran.
Addressing the American public on the war in Iran, Trump also thanked Washington’s Gulf allies, saying he would “make sure they don’t get hurt”.
Trump said his ‘first preference’ was peace and added Iran’s actions left him no choice. “We are systematically dismantling the regime.”
President Trump also paid tribute to US troops engaged in Operation Epic Fury.
Trump further said the Strait of Hormuz will “open up naturally” when the war concludes.
“Iran has been essentially decimated – the hard part is done, so it should be easy, and in any event, when this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally, it will just open up naturally,”
“They are going to want to be able to sell oil, because that’s all they have to try and rebuild.”
Trump also told the countries to ‘build some delayed courage’ over Hormuz closure.
He further said that US will hit Iran ‘extremely hard’ over the next two or three weeks.
