U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to the White House on Monday after 18 months in the position. While no official reason was provided for his departure, reports indicate months of tension between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly described Driscoll as highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda, specifically noting his contributions to lethality, readiness, and Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Driscoll, a friend of Vice President JD Vance, is the latest in a series of senior military leaders to exit the Defense Secretary's top team, a trend that has reportedly surprised the president.
The resignation comes amid warnings of a leadership crisis within the Army. Senator Jack Reed, a former Army officer, accused Secretary Hegseth of cultivating a culture where dissent is punished, while another senior Senate Democrat claimed Hegseth has hollowed out the Army's senior ranks after the removal of senior officers and the blocking of promotions.
The loss of top leadership occurs as the United States continues to manage a conflict with Iran, with thousands of soldiers currently deployed in the Middle East.