Senate Democrat Criticizes Pentagon Chief Over Army Secretary's Resignation

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll left his post after 18 months, with no official explanation provided. The resignation comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny over recent personnel actions attributed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for advancing the administration’s agenda on readiness, lethality and Russia-Ukraine negotiations, while members of both parties acknowledged his leadership.

Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he does not welcome the departure and warned that President Trump must recognize the damage caused by Hegseth’s actions. > "It is far past time for President Trump to recognize the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defense," Reed said. > "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."

According to an army official, Driscoll discussed the "current state" of the Army with the president before resigning, raising concerns about transformation efforts and readiness. Reports indicate that Hegseth forced the removal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April and later scaled back a drone unit that Driscoll and George had promoted.

Driscoll’s exit follows other senior departures under Hegseth, 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, said the Pentagon appears "rudderless" and expressed grave concern about the lack of senior leadership.