Trump's Army Secretary Dan Driscoll steps down after months of friction with Hegseth

Dan Driscoll has resigned as US Army secretary after months of reported friction with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. His departure adds to a wider Pentagon churn as Army leadership and modernisation priorities shift.

In Short

• US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after 18 months in post
• Departure follows tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
• Driscoll pushed for drone modernisation, later reversed by successor

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has stepped down after 18 months in the post, becoming the latest senior military leader to leave the Trump administration amid a period of major upheaval at the Pentagon. According to the Associated Press and several other US media outlets, the White House confirmed his resignation on Monday but did not give a reason for his departure.

His departure follows months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the two men said to have clashed over their respective roles and influence within the Pentagon.

Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and longtime friend of Vice President JD Vance, had been one of the more prominent civilian figures in the Army leadership. His exit comes as the service undergoes significant changes, including a series of senior leadership shakeups under Hegseth.

WHITE HOUSE PRAISES DRISCOLL'S RECORD

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly praised Driscoll's tenure, stressing his role in implementing Trump's defence agenda and overseeing major changes within the Army.

"Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army by providing outstanding leadership during historic military operations, restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more," Kelly said in a statement.

"The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War," she added.

A US Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the news agency that Driscoll had submitted his resignation to the White House. The Pentagon referred questions about his departure to the Army. The resignation was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

TENSIONS WITH HEGSETH

Driscoll's departure follows a turbulent period for the Army, which has seen several senior leaders leave their posts since Hegseth became defence secretary.

Hegseth abruptly removed the Army's top uniformed officer, General Randy George, in April. Two months later, General Christopher Donahue, who led US Army forces in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly stepped down. Driscoll had worked closely with George and was among those who expressed disappointment over his removal.

Speaking to Congress in April, Driscoll recalled visiting George's home with his family after the general's departure.

"..and we all gave him a hug," Driscoll said. He nevertheless acknowledged the authority of civilian leadership over military appointments.

"That being said, the civilian leadership, the design of our system, is that they get to pick the leaders that they want," Driscoll added. General Christopher LaNeve subsequently took George's place as acting Army chief of staff. His arrival has coincided with changes to some of the modernisation initiatives Driscoll had promoted.

Driscoll had pushed for the Army to move more quickly in developing drones and counter-drone technology, reflecting lessons from modern warfare. Under LaNeve, however, the service has scrapped a drone modernisation effort that Driscoll had previously championed. An Army unit stationed in Europe had been developing its own drones, but LaNeve later directed it to abandon that work and return to its traditional role as an infantry battalion, officials said in August.

JD VANCE TIES AT HEART OF REPORTED RIFT

Driscoll's close relationship with Vance has been a notable factor in reports of tension between him and Hegseth. The two men met while studying at Yale Law School and have remained close friends. Driscoll also previously served as an adviser to Vance before joining the Trump administration.

Multiple reports have described Hegseth as distrustful of officials around him and concerned about their loyalty. Driscoll's direct relationship with the White House was reportedly viewed by Hegseth as potentially allowing the Army secretary to bypass the defence secretary.

Driscoll also developed a close working relationship with Trump. The US President selected him for an unusual diplomatic role last year, sending him to help persuade Ukraine to return to negotiations aimed at ending its war with Russia.

Driscoll brought both military and private-sector experience to the position. According to the Army, he served as an armour officer from August 2007 to March 2011 and deployed to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010. His father and grandfather also served in the Army, and during his confirmation process he said he wanted to focus on the needs of soldiers.

Trump described Driscoll as a "disruptor and change agent" when announcing his nomination in 2024.

The Senate confirmed him in February 2025 by a 66-28 vote. His Armed Services Committee hearing was largely uncontentious, with lawmakers focusing on Army modernisation, recruitment and strengthening the US military industrial base. Before entering the administration, Driscoll worked as a technology investor and had also sought political office. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2020 Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat, receiving about 8 per cent of the vote in a crowded field.

- Ends
With inputs from agencies