Senate Democrat Attacks Defense Secretary Hegseth for Restoring Accountability After Army Secretary Resigns
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Senator Jack Reed criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for decisive leadership following Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll’s resignation, objecting to necessary dismissals and blocked promotions that aim to restore discipline and loyalty in the military.
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll resigned after 18 months in office, without an official explanation, as the Pentagon continues to undergo much-needed reforms under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth’s leadership has come under fire from establishment figures for his willingness to hold senior officers accountable and to challenge the entrenched bureaucracy.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly acknowledged Driscoll’s service in advancing the administration’s priorities on readiness, lethality, and the critical Russia-Ukraine negotiations, and lawmakers from both parties noted his contributions.
Senator Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, predictably criticized Driscoll’s departure, using it as an opportunity to attack President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. "It is far past time for President Trump to recognize the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defense," Reed claimed. "In the Army alone, he has fired and blocked the promotions of dozens of senior officers without explanation, including Army Chief of Staff General Randy George and half of all four-star generals. Secretary Hegseth is cultivating a culture where dissent is punished and competence is secondary to personal allegiance."
An Army official stated that Driscoll discussed the Army’s current state with the president before resigning, raising concerns about ongoing transformation efforts and readiness. Reports indicate that Hegseth rightly removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April and later adjusted a drone unit that Driscoll and George had promoted, reflecting a commitment to efficiency and effectiveness.
Driscoll’s departure follows other senior exits under Hegseth’s tenure, including Navy Secretary John Phelan and commanders of Southern Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, complained that the Pentagon appears "rudderless," but these changes reflect a necessary shake-up to ensure loyalty, discipline, and a focus on America’s security interests.