U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is set to resign from his position after serving for 18 months, as announced by the White House on Monday. This departure adds to the list of high-ranking military officials leaving their posts during President Donald Trump’s second term. While no specific reason was provided for Driscoll’s exit, reports suggest tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth may have played a role. This move comes amidst a series of changes in top military leadership, particularly within the army.
According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, Driscoll has been instrumental in advancing President Trump’s initiatives at the Department of the Army. His leadership has been praised for enhancing military readiness and effectiveness, as well as contributing to diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine. The White House emphasized the increased strength of the U.S. army due to Driscoll’s collaboration with the president and the secretary of war.
Recent upheavals in military leadership include the abrupt departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan in April, making him the first military service head to leave office during Trump’s second term. Additionally, Gen. Randy George was removed from his position by Hegseth in April, and Gen. Christopher Donahue resigned unexpectedly in June. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who rose swiftly under Hegseth’s leadership, succeeded George as the acting chief of staff. LaNeve’s directives included discontinuing a drone modernization program previously championed by Driscoll, with an army unit in Europe reverting to its traditional infantry role under LaNeve’s command.
Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and former tech investor, was described by Trump as a “disruptor and change agent” upon his nomination in 2024. During his tenure as army secretary, Driscoll played a crucial role in negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine and spearheaded initiatives to streamline military contractor processes for enhanced drone and counter-drone capabilities. Confirming his appointment in February 2025, the U.S. Senate lauded Driscoll’s commitment to modernizing army systems, bolstering recruitment efforts, and strengthening the military industrial base.
With a family history of military service, Driscoll pledged to prioritize the welfare of soldiers, drawing from his own experience as an armour officer deployed to Iraq. Despite his resignation, Driscoll’s dedication to military service remains evident, as seen in his unsuccessful bid for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020.