Dan Driscoll, the top civilian leader of the U.S. Army, has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump, following months of conflict with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The publication disclosed that Driscoll will be leaving the Pentagon "in the coming days," highlighting that his departure will leave the Army without Senate-confirmed civilian or military leaders.
Driscoll personally met with Trump to hand over his resignation and discuss the Army's current challenges, according to officials who spoke anonymously to The New York Times. During this meeting, the outgoing secretary expressed his frustration over the dismissal of numerous seasoned military leaders and the obstruction of promotions for colonels connected to individuals disfavored by Hegseth.
Military Leadership Turmoil
Among those removed by Hegseth is General Randy George, who was ousted as Army Chief of Staff in April without a public explanation. Sources claim that Hegseth has forced out at least 24 generals and senior commanders since Trump's return to the White House.
Driscoll's exit leaves the Army in an unprecedented situation: no Chief of Staff since April and no Senate-confirmed civilian secretary, during a period of intense operational activity, with ongoing conflicts with Iran, whose drones and missiles have targeted U.S. bases in the Middle East.
White House Reaction
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for his role in "historic military operations," his "focus on readiness and lethality," and his involvement in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, she did not provide reasons for the resignation or confirm if Trump had formally accepted it.
At 40 years old, Driscoll was the youngest to serve as Army Secretary. He was considered a potential candidate to replace Hegseth if he fell out of favor with Trump, and many lawmakers viewed him as one of the few Pentagon officials capable of collaborating with both Republicans and Democrats.
Additional Resignations
Simultaneously, interim Deputy Secretary of the Army, Dave Fitzgerald, who had been focused on attracting private investment to modernize Defense technology, also announced his departure this week.
With the midterm elections approaching, confirming a successor through the Senate could prove particularly challenging, prolonging uncertainty in the leadership of the U.S. Army.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Army Leadership Changes
Why did Dan Driscoll resign as U.S. Army Secretary?
Dan Driscoll resigned due to ongoing tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and frustrations over the dismissal of experienced military leaders and blocked promotions.
How will Driscoll's resignation affect the U.S. Army?
Driscoll's resignation leaves the Army without a Senate-confirmed civilian leader or Chief of Staff, creating uncertainty during a time of significant operational demands.
Who else is leaving the Army leadership?
Dave Fitzgerald, the interim Deputy Secretary of the Army, has also announced his resignation. He had been working on modernizing Defense technology through private investment.