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Hegseth Forces Army Chief Out
Hegseth fired Army Chief George during an active war, an unprecedented move without public explanation.
“Hegseth has asked Army Chief George to step down with immediate effect”
CBS quoted a source saying Hegseth wants someone who will implement Trump’s vision.
George was appointed by Biden in 2023 and had more than a year left in his term.
He is a decorated combat veteran who led the Army out of a recruiting crisis.
No Official Reason Given
The Pentagon offered no public reason for the firing.
The New York Times reported the tension was due to Hegseth’s long-running grievances with the Army.
Hegseth had recently blocked promotions of four officers, two Black and two women.
The removal raised questions about operational continuity and morale.
Firing Seen as Political Purge
The firing was part of a rolling purge by Hegseth of senior officers.
“Dumping the Army chief of staff in the middle of a war is a reckless move even by Hegseth’s standards”
Trump and Hegseth have been on a clear mission to politicize the military.
Conservative party elites in the UK expressed alarm at the militarization of US foreign policy.
Mixed Reactions Domestically and Globally
Some conservatives celebrated the firing as civilian control.
Others criticized Hegseth as unqualified.
Allies were watching nervously as US military leadership shifted amid operations in Iran.
The Pentagon was changing who’s in charge and how the military aligns with the strategic vision.