Washington, 3 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reshuffling the army's leadership, with General Randy George stepping down as chief of staff, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

"General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on social media platform X.

CBS News reported that Hegseth had asked the top general to step down, a report later confirmed to dpa by a Defense Department official. Other US media reported that Hegseth had fired George.

The leadership change in the army comes as the United States is at war with Iran. CBS News did not cite any direct link to the conflict or any other specific reason for the move. The broadcaster, citing a person familiar with the decision, said Hegseth wanted someone in the post who would implement the vision he and President Donald Trump had for the army.

According to US media reports, Army Vice Chief of Staff Christopher LaNeve will now take over on an acting basis.

George became chief of staff of the army in 2023 after being nominated by Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. He would normally have remained in the post until 2027.

CBS News said Hegseth has already dismissed more than a dozen senior military officers.

Photo: MIA archive