U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll Submits Resignation Amid Tensions with Defense Secretary

United States Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has submitted his resignation, a development linked to ongoing tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, media outlets reported. The White House declined to comment when asked about a Wall Street Journal report on the resignation. Reuters, citing a source familiar with the matter, said it was unclear whether the administration had formally accepted Driscoll's resignation, and the Army did not provide a statement.

Spokeswoman Anna Kelly praised Driscoll, saying he had been "highly effective in advancing the President’s agenda at the Department of the Army" and that his work had made the Army "more powerful than ever" alongside the Commander-in-Chief. The statement was part of a public relations release.

Driscoll, a former law school classmate of Vice President J.D. Vance, is the latest senior Pentagon official to depart under Secretary Hegseth. Earlier this year, Hegseth dismissed Army Chief of Staff Randy George and saw the unexpected resignation of General Christopher Donahue, commander of Army Europe and Africa. Hegseth has also overseen the removal of other senior officers, including the Navy’s top civilian leader.

According to Reuters, Driscoll had raised concerns with the administration about Army transformation and readiness, alleging that Hegseth blocked related efforts by dismissing responsible generals. An anonymous U.S. official told Reuters that Hegseth viewed Driscoll as a bureaucratic threat and had long considered removing him, but Driscoll’s political connections complicated the decision.

Driscoll, confirmed as Army secretary in February 2025, had advocated for a more agile acquisition process and criticized large weapons manufacturers. He previously served in Iraq, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020, and participated in diplomatic talks with Russia and Ukraine on behalf of the Trump administration.