Hegseth Ousts Army Chief, Shakes Up Military Brass

0:00It's April 2nd. This is Vancouver News today, AI-powered stories from your city. Defense Secretary Pete Hagueceth just asked the Army's top uniformed officer, General Randy George, to step down and take early retirement. This comes straight from the Pentagon as the U.S. fights a war against Iran. George has been Army Chief of Staff since August 2023. Earlier this year, George dodged the first big wave of firings that hit top military leaders. But now he's out, joining more than a dozen generals and admirals who have been pushed aside or retired early since Hagueceth took office last year. George is a West Point grad and battle-tested infantry officer from the first Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. He even served as a top aid to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin under Biden before climbing Army ranks. Meanwhile, George's deputy, General James Mingus, got the boot after less than two years. Hagueceth tapped Lieutenant General Christopher Leneve to replace him, pulling Leneve right

1:00from his role as the Secretary's military aid after a short, stint commanding forces in South Korea. This shakeup at the top shows Hagueceth reshaping the military brass fast, right in the thick of conflict, raising questions on how it'll play out for. The fight ahead.