Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has officially submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump. The departure follows a period of mounting friction between Driscoll and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, marking a significant shift in the Pentagon’s leadership as the ongoing war in Iran reaches its six-month mark.
According to an Army official, Driscoll “spoke to the president about the current state of the Army and submitted his resignation.” While the exact timeline for his departure remains unconfirmed, the role is expected to be filled by the under secretary of the Army, Mike Obadal, a retired colonel and special operations aviator, in an acting capacity.
The resignation comes after months of internal conflict. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that Driscoll’s decision was not unexpected, citing his frustration with the administration’s approach to Army readiness. In his resignation, Driscoll reportedly raised concerns regarding the blocking of transformation efforts and the firing of key generals responsible for those initiatives. One source noted that Hegseth has been deeply suspicious of both civilian and military officials throughout his tenure, often questioning their loyalties.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s performance, stating he was “highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again” by emphasizing lethality and readiness, as well as assisting in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Despite this, his relationship with Hegseth remained strained, largely due to Driscoll’s close ties to Vice President JD Vance, with whom he attended Yale Law School. Hegseth reportedly viewed this direct line to the White House as an attempt to circumvent his authority.
Tensions were further exacerbated by Hegseth’s aggressive approach to military leadership. Earlier this year, the defense secretary fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals. Driscoll had worked closely with George and publicly defended him before Congress in April, stating there is “no person that has more respect for Gen. George and his 42 years of service, his Purple Heart, his wife Patty, their grandkids, their kids.” He added, “I adore them. And he was an amazing, transformational leader.”
Hegseth, who served nearly 20 years in the Army National Guard, has taken a hands-on role in reshaping the service. He has removed or forced out several high-ranking figures, including former Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus, Army Transformation and Training Command head Gen. David Hodne, Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., and Director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims. Most recently, Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa, retired after Hegseth declined to nominate him for a new position, despite reports of tension between their respective offices.
While Hegseth has focused heavily on culture war issues, Driscoll’s tenure was characterized by a push for modernization. His expertise in technology earned him the nickname “the drone guy” from President Trump, who had tasked him with spearheading efforts to modernize equipment and facilitate diplomatic talks. The departure leaves a notable void in the Pentagon as the administration continues to navigate complex military and geopolitical challenges. The report also notes that which shows no signs of ending, it also comes six months into the Iran war. The report also notes that has reached out to the Army for additional comment. The report also notes that the Wall Street Journal first reported on Driscoll’s departure. The report also notes that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle repeatedly questioned Hegseth on the firing and voiced their admiration for the general. The report also notes that this story has been updated with additional information. The report also notes that zachary Cohen contributed to this report.
