The Pentagon announced Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George’s departure on X. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote: “General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.”

General Randy George previously served as a senior military assistant to Lloyd Austin from 2021-2011 during the Joe Biden administration.

Following decades of service, he first fought in the first Gulf War, before proceeding to serve in the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army chief of staff role is typically designed as a four-year appointment.

George joined in 2023, meaning he was positioned to remain in post until 2027.

This comes as the U.S. continues to battle Iran, an extraordinary move that changes military leadership during an ongoing conflict and cuts short George’s expected four-year term, which would’ve concluded in 2027.

His departure comes at a pivotal moment, as Trump pledged to obliterate Iran’s regime, cautioning that he would bomb the country “back to the Stone Ages” if required – while predicting the conflict could be resolved within weeks.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has taken a swipe at Keir Starmer, ridiculing him over Britain’s position on Iran during a White House lunch.

The US president reportedly adopted a feeble, faltering voice, mocking the notion that the UK was unable to deploy forces to the Middle East.

He went on to jest about Britain sending its “two old, broken-down aircraft carriers” to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed to shipping since hostilities broke out on February 28.

Trump claimed Starmer responded: “No, no, no, I have to ask my team. My team has to meet. We’re meeting next week.”