U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is set to resign after serving for 18 months, as confirmed by the White House on Monday, marking another high-ranking military official departure in President Donald Trump’s second term. The reason behind Driscoll’s departure remains undisclosed, but reports suggest tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. This move is part of a series of leadership changes within the military, particularly impacting the army.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s accomplishments, stating that he significantly advanced President Trump’s military objectives during his tenure. The statement highlighted Driscoll’s leadership in critical military operations, enhancing readiness and combat effectiveness, and contributing to diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine.
The Pentagon recently announced the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan, making him the first military service head to step down during Trump’s second term. In April, Gen. Randy George, the army’s top uniformed leader, was abruptly removed by Hegseth, and Gen. Christopher Donahue, the army’s commander in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly resigned in June.
Following these changes, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who has risen swiftly under Hegseth’s leadership, replaced George as the army’s acting chief of staff. LaNeve made the decision to discontinue a drone modernization program championed by Driscoll, redirecting an army unit in Europe from drone development back to traditional infantry operations.
Driscoll, a military veteran with experience in Iraq, a tech investor, and former adviser to Vice-President JD Vance, was appointed as army secretary in 2024, with Trump describing him as a “disruptor and change agent.” During his tenure, Driscoll played a crucial role in negotiating to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and streamlining processes for military contractors to develop advanced drone technologies.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February 2025, Driscoll emphasized his commitment to serving soldiers, drawing inspiration from his family’s military legacy. He previously served as an armour officer in Iraq and ran for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020. Driscoll’s departure has garnered bipartisan support, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressing regret over his exit.