US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned from his post after serving for 18 months, according to a statement from the White House. While no formal reason was provided for his departure, the exit follows widespread reports of friction between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a period of significant upheaval within the military services.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s tenure, stating he had been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to "Make America Strong Again" at the Department of the Army. Kelly noted that Driscoll provided leadership during historic military operations, emphasized readiness and lethality, and assisted in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Driscoll, an Iraq War veteran and technology investor, previously served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance during their time at Yale Law School. He was nominated in late 2024 and confirmed by the US Senate in a 66-28 vote in February 2025. During his time in office, he pushed for the reduction of procurement bureaucracy regarding military drone and counter-drone systems.
The resignation occurs against a backdrop of wider leadership shifts within the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Hegseth. In April, General Randy George, the Army’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, was removed from his position. Additionally, the commander of US Army Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue, stepped down unexpectedly in June. In April, the Pentagon also announced the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan, the first service secretary to leave during President Trump’s second term, alongside several other dismissed flag officers.
Changes in policy have already begun to emerge following these departures. Acting Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve has rolled back a drone modernization program that was championed by Driscoll. Under LaNeve, an infantry battalion in Europe that had been assembling its own tactical drones was ordered to cease development and return to standard duties.
