Gen. Randy George Was Fired Over 2-Helicopter Kid Rock Probe, Clouding LaNeve Nomination
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Aug 26
Gen. Randy George Was Fired Over 2-Helicopter Kid Rock Probe, Clouding LaNeve Nomination
3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Aug 26
Summary
A new report says Gen. Randy George was ousted after refusing to shut down an Army probe into a March flyover by two AH-64 Apache helicopters near Kid Rock’s Tennessee estate.
Days before the April firing, Gen. Chris LaNeve told George it would be wise to drop the inquiry because Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wanted the internal airspace-violation investigation ended.
The low-altitude maneuver had deviated from training, drew national attention after Kid Rock and President Trump shared video, and initially led to a pilot suspension that Hegseth later reversed.
LaNeve was then installed as acting Army chief of staff, but the disclosure could further slow his permanent nomination, which the White House has yet to send to the Senate and already faces committee resistance.
The episode has intensified criticism that military norms were bent for politics, while Pentagon officials maintain the helicopters did not deviate from training and say they are still coordinating the timing of LaNeve’s nomination.