U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning after serving for 18 months, announced by the White House on Monday, marking another high-profile departure in President Donald Trump’s second term. While no specific reason was provided for Driscoll’s exit, reports suggest tensions between him and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. This departure is part of a broader trend of leadership changes within the military, particularly in the army.
According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, Driscoll has been instrumental in advancing President Trump’s initiatives to strengthen the nation, enhance military readiness, and facilitate diplomatic efforts, including negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Kelly praised Driscoll’s contributions, stating that the U.S. Army has significantly benefited from his collaboration with top officials.
In a separate development earlier in April, Navy Secretary John Phelan was removed from his position, becoming the first military service head to depart in Trump’s current term. Hegseth also removed Gen. Randy George, the army’s top uniformed leader, in April, while Gen. Christopher Donahue, the army’s commander in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly resigned in June.
Under Hegseth’s influence, Gen. Christopher LaNeve has assumed the role of the army’s acting chief of staff, succeeding George. LaNeve has made notable changes, including discontinuing a drone modernization program previously championed by Driscoll. Instead, an army unit in Europe, under LaNeve’s direction, transitioned back to a traditional infantry battalion.
Driscoll, who had a close relationship with George, expressed regret over his departure, a sentiment shared by lawmakers from both political parties. Despite the emotional connection, Driscoll acknowledged the prerogative of civilian leadership in selecting military leaders.
Described by Trump as a “disruptor and change agent,” Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, was appointed as army secretary in 2024. In his capacity, he played a crucial role in negotiating an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and advocated for streamlining processes to enhance drone technology and counter-drone capabilities in response to evolving global warfare dynamics.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February 2025, Driscoll emphasized his commitment to serving soldiers, drawing inspiration from his family’s military background. Prior to his tenure as army secretary, Driscoll served as an armor officer, with deployment experience in Iraq from 2009 to 2010. Additionally, he ran in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, securing approximately eight percent of the vote.