Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns Amid Ongoing Pentagon Leadership Changes

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced his resignation on Thursday, further destabilizing the Pentagon’s senior leadership after the recent forced retirement of Army Chief of Staff Randy George. Driscoll, a 38-year-old veteran who previously worked in investment banking, had been known for promoting the Army’s adoption of drones and modernizing acquisition processes.

His departure follows a series of high-profile dismissals ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff C.Q. Brown and several service chiefs.

"The civilian leadership gets to pick the leaders they want," Driscoll said in testimony after George’s removal, emphasizing the authority of the president and the defense secretary over senior appointments.

Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee praised Hegseth’s focus on military capability, while Democratic leaders on the Senate Armed Services Committee criticized his qualifications and approach.

"Hegseth was unqualified to be secretary of defense, both operationally and temperamentally," said Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed.

Vice President J.D. Vance described Hegseth as a man of integrity and character. Driscoll, a former Army lieutenant who served in Iraq and a longtime aide to Vice President Vance, said his personal connections were insufficient to retain his position.

The resignations and dismissals have sparked partisan debate over the direction of the U.S. military and the extent of civilian control over senior officers.