Overview
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told lawmakers he admires ousted Army chief Gen. Randy George and said he drove to George’s home to offer support.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired George by phone on April 2, named Gen. Christopher LaNeve acting Army chief, and removed Gen. David Hodne and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr.
- New reporting describes Hegseth pressing Driscoll to strike Black and female officers and Col. Dave Butler from a one-star promotion list, which Driscoll refused before Butler was later dismissed from an Army communications post.
- Past incidents continue to shadow the dispute, including a 2025 report that Hegseth posted classified war plans in a Signal chat and the escorting out of three aides who denied leak accusations and were not charged.
- The White House voiced confidence in both men, as critics warn that abrupt firings during a war could weaken continuity, deter candid advice, and spur more oversight of Pentagon personnel moves.