Reggie Jackson slams Hegseth for ousting Army leaders during Iran operation

Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson criticized War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday for his decision to shake up leadership amid the ongoing military operation in Iran.

Hegseth on Thursday called on Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to resign and retire immediately. A senior War Department official told Fox News that Hegseth called George and requested his immediate retirement, saying, “It was time for a change in leadership in the military.” »

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Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Gen. David Hodne, who headed the U.S. Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Maj. Gen. William Green, head of the Army Chaplain Corps, were also ousted, according to Reuters.

The former New York Yankees star criticized the decision.

“What’s going on with our Defense Sec. How can we get rid of all this experience right now? Help me, I don’t understand. Get rid of leader Chaplin (sic)?” Jackson wrote about X.

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New York Yankees special advisor Reggie Jackson hits during practice before a game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on June 25, 2018. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)

“What? We’re at war and we’re throwing away most of our experience and knowledge we’ve gained over time.”

War Department chief spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed George’s decision in an article on X.

“General Randy A. George will retire as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately,” he wrote. “The War Department is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.”

Hegseth announced changes to military “faith codes” last month as he began overhauling the Pentagon chaplain corps. He promised more changes were coming.

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, NY on July 27, 2025. (Gregory Fisher/Imagn Images)

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Morgan Phillips of Fox News contributed to this report.

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