Army Secretary Driscoll Resigns Amid Pentagon Turbulence
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned, submitting his resignation to the White House. His departure follows reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, adding to recent shake-ups at the Pentagon. Driscoll, who served as Army Secretary since February 2025, was aligned with former Army Chief of Staff General Randy George. General George was removed by Hegseth earlier in the year.
The resignation was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. According to Reuters, Driscoll’s departure is another change at the Pentagon, where numerous senior leaders have left or been replaced during Hegseth’s tenure. Changes have affected various levels of the Defense Department, marking a pattern of turnover under the current administration.
In an email to Newsweek, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for advancing President Trump’s agenda and his role in key military operations and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. She credited him with enhancing the Army’s readiness and power.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
As Army Secretary, Driscoll played a diplomatic role in efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He also pushed for advancements in drone technology, reflecting the growing reliance on unmanned systems in warfare, as reported by the Associated Press.
Driscoll’s resignation is noted as part of a larger pattern of high-level changes at the Pentagon. Under Secretaries Trump and Hegseth, the pace of departures and dismissals has been significant.
Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of International Relations at the City College of New York, mentioned that he couldn’t recall such upheaval in recent decades at the senior levels of the DoD and its officer corps.
Recent Pentagon Leadership Changes
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is reportedly stepping down.
- Former Army Chief of Staff General Randy George was fired.
- Former General Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, stepped down.
- Former General David Hodne, head of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, was fired.
- Former Major General William Green, Army’s chief of chaplains, was fired.
- Former Navy Secretary John Phelan departed.
Impact of Resignation
Driscoll’s departure occurs amid U.S. military action against Iran, raising questions about Hegseth’s management and the stability of the Army’s leadership. Public support for the war with Iran has waned.
According to a University of Massachusetts Amherst poll, 68% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran war, and 54% disapprove of U.S. military actions there. In another poll by YouGov/Economist, 62% disapprove of Trump’s approach to Iran, and 57% believe the war was the wrong decision.