The Army’s top general who was reportedly ousted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote to Pentagon officials that U.S. soldiers deserve “courageous leaders of character” in a farewell message.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George made the remark in a final email to officials that was circulating online after he was apparently dismissed by Hegseth last week.
“Our soldiers are truly the best in the world – they deserve tough training and courageous leaders of character,” George said. “I have no doubt you will all continue to lead with courage, character, and grit.”
George spoke of his “immeasurable pride” in serving in the Army for 38 years in his letter, which officials confirmed was authentic to The Independent.
“I know you’ll all continue to stay laser-focused on the mission, continue innovating, and relentlessly cut through the bureaucracy to get our warfighters what they need to win on the modern battlefield,” he said.
The Independent has contacted the Army for comment.
George’s ouster comes as the U.S. is locked in a war with Iran, an unusual move that changes military leadership during an ongoing conflict and cuts short his expected four-year term, which would’ve ended in 2027.
Last week Hegseth also forced out top Army officials Gen. David Hodne and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., a move which some sources have suggested stems from concerns about losing his own job.
The Pentagon chief’s “paranoia” about being potentially replaced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was behind the ousters of the top officials, as Hegseth wanted to remove anyone who was close with Driscoll, according to the New York Post.
“This is all driven by the insecurity and paranoia that Pete has developed since Signalgate. Unfortunately, it is stoked by some of his closest aides who should be trying to calm the waters,” an official told the Post.
Hegseth “has got a big conflict with Driscoll,” a source close to the Trump’s administration reportedly said.
“And he’s been told by the White House he can’t fire Driscoll, at least for the moment,” the source told the outlet.
“[Hegseth] is very concerned about being fired and he knows that Driscoll is one of the top contenders, or a natural contender, to succeed him,” they added. “So what Pete has been doing is taking anyone he perceives to be close with Driscoll and going after them. And this is the latest and most spectacular [example] of that.”
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that Hegseth “maintains excellent working relationships with the secretaries of every military service branch, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll” in a statement to The Independent.
Parnell could be a contender to replace Driscoll if he were to leave his role, according to the Post.
Still, Parnell is “focused on the job he has now, as is Army Secretary Driscoll,” a senior department official said in a statement to The Independent.
“It wouldn’t be out of line to speculate that Sean would be considered as a successor as he is one of the highest profile Army veterans serving at the top of Department right now, but both men are focused on serving the President and doing the job they have now,” the official added.
Parnell previously confirmed George’s departure in a statement on X, which was reposted by Hegseth.
“General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately,” he wrote Thursday. “The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.”
Several top military leaders have been removed since President Donald Trump Trump took office last year. The list includes the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., and the former Defense Intelligence Agency director, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse.
