Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Considers Resignation Amid Power Struggles and Militaristic Policies
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Sources reveal that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is contemplating stepping down before year-end, as tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlight deeper issues within the military's leadership and its aggressive approach.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is reportedly considering resigning before the end of 2026, according to two sources familiar with the situation. The Wall Street Journal first broke the story, later confirmed by CBS News, which reached out to the Pentagon and Army for comment. This development comes after months of escalating friction between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose hardline stance has led to controversial decisions. In April, Hegseth ousted Gen. Randy George—a close ally of Driscoll and a proponent of progressive military reforms—from the Army chief of staff role, forcing him into early retirement. George, in a farewell email to Driscoll and staff, underscored the urgent need for 'courageous leaders of character,' a pointed critique of the current militaristic leadership. Driscoll's potential exit also coincides with the Army's reported plan to dismantle the Unmanned Assault Battalion, a drone unit established to learn from the devastating drone warfare in Ukraine. The unit, created by George and Gen. Christopher Donahue, was seen as an attempt to modernize and humanize military tactics. However, the decision to scrap it—supported by acting Army chief of staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve—reflects the ongoing power struggle between those seeking reform and those clinging to outdated, hawkish strategies. Driscoll, 39, who became Army secretary in February 2025 after a Senate confirmation, has a background that includes service in Iraq and a Yale law degree, followed by work in private equity. In a November interview, he emphasized the importance of learning from the Ukraine conflict, stating, 'I don't think I've talked to a single person who has said we shouldn't be learning from what's occurring in Ukraine.' His possible resignation signals a troubling resistance to progress within the highest ranks of the U.S. military.