By Sandra Kenneth
Dan Driscoll, the U.S. Army’s top civilian leader, has submitted his resignation following reported friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the White House confirmed Monday.
The move, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, comes at a critical time for the military branch. If accepted, Driscoll’s exit would leave the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership, as Secretary Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April and has yet to nominate a permanent successor.
Addressing the resignation reports, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s tenure and key role in the administration’s military priorities.
“Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army,” Kelly said. She highlighted his “outstanding leadership” during U.S. military operations, citing his efforts in “restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more.”
Kelly added, “The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.”
An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Driscoll previously ran for Congress in 2020 before serving as an advisor to Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. A former law school classmate of Vice President JD Vance, Driscoll had built strong ties within the administration, though reports of ongoing clashes with Hegseth ultimately shadowed his tenure.
Political reaction to the departure was swift, with key lawmakers pointing to growing leadership instability at the Pentagon.
Senator Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, placed the responsibility directly on the Defense Secretary.
“I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll’s resignation,” Reed said. “It is far past time for President Trump to recognise the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defence.”
