Trump Installs Loyalist Adam Telle as Acting Army Secretary After Driscoll Forced Out
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President Donald Trump has named Adam Telle, a political insider and loyalist, as acting Army secretary after Daniel Driscoll resigned amid reported power struggles with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move raises concerns about further politicization of the military and the sidelining of experienced veterans.
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Adam Telle, a longtime Republican operative and assistant secretary for civil works, will serve as acting secretary of the Army following the abrupt resignation of Daniel Driscoll. Telle, whose career has been defined by his work for conservative lawmakers and his time as a special assistant in Trump’s first term, represents yet another example of the administration prioritizing political loyalty over military expertise.
Driscoll, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, was forced out after 18 months in the role, offering no public explanation. His departure comes after a series of reported clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a Trump ally known for his hardline views, and the earlier removal of several of Driscoll’s supporters. In a carefully worded statement, Driscoll called his time as Army secretary “the honor of a lifetime” and credited Hegseth for the department’s progress, though the context suggests a toxic environment for those unwilling to toe the administration’s line.
Telle’s background is steeped in Capitol Hill politics, having served as chief of staff to Senator Bill Hagerty and worked for the late Senator Thad Cochran. Now, he takes charge of the Army at a time when the U.S. is embroiled in endless conflicts in the Middle East and the military faces critical shortages of key weapon systems like Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors—issues exacerbated by years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.
Lawmakers from both parties have voiced alarm over Driscoll’s ouster, with some directly blaming Hegseth’s heavy-handed tactics. Senator Thom Tillis, a retiring North Carolina Republican, warned on social media that Hegseth “is creating a leadership void at the top of our military ranks,” highlighting the dangers of Trump’s ongoing purge of independent voices from the Pentagon.