Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns in Protest Against Hegseth’s Authoritarian Overreach
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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned, citing fundamental disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s reactionary obstruction of Army modernization and readiness.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. This decision comes amid escalating tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose pattern of purging senior Army leaders has raised alarm among those committed to democratic oversight and progressive military reform.
One source revealed that Driscoll was deeply concerned about Hegseth’s obstruction of vital Army transformation and readiness initiatives, particularly as Hegseth has fired generals who were leading these efforts. Driscoll reportedly discussed the deteriorating state of the Army with the president before making the principled decision to step down.
Driscoll’s resignation occurs six months into the ongoing and disastrous conflict with Iran, and after months of friction with Hegseth, who earlier this year ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and other respected senior officers. Lawmakers have rightfully questioned Hegseth’s reckless actions, while Driscoll stood by Gen. George’s record of service and commitment to reform.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly attempted to put a positive spin on Driscoll’s departure, praising his leadership and contributions to the administration’s agenda, including negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, the forced resignation underscores the administration’s intolerance of dissent and its willingness to sacrifice military readiness for political loyalty. Retired Colonel Mike Obadal, a figure with little experience in transformative leadership, is expected to serve as acting secretary until a successor is named.
CNN has sought further comment from the Army, and the Wall Street Journal was the first to report this troubling resignation.