The White House announced on Monday that U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning after serving for 18 months. The departure of Driscoll, a close associate of U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, comes amid reported tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. This move is part of a series of changes within top military leadership, particularly in the army.
According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, Driscoll played a crucial role in advancing President Trump’s military agenda, focusing on enhancing readiness and effectiveness, facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more. Kelly emphasized that Driscoll’s efforts have contributed to strengthening the U.S. army.
The Pentagon recently announced the resignation of Navy Secretary John Phelan, marking the first departure of a military service head during Trump’s second term. In April, Hegseth removed Gen. Randy George from his position as the army’s top uniformed leader, while Gen. Christopher Donahue, the army’s commander in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly stepped down in June.
Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who rose rapidly under Hegseth’s leadership, succeeded George as the army’s acting chief of staff. LaNeve made the decision to discontinue a drone modernization program previously championed by Driscoll, opting for a return to traditional infantry operations.
Driscoll expressed regret over George’s departure, a sentiment shared by bipartisan lawmakers. Despite this, Driscoll acknowledged the civilian leadership’s authority to select personnel.
Described by Trump as a “disruptor,” Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, was appointed as a negotiator to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He also advocated for streamlining processes for military contractors to develop advanced drone technologies in response to evolving global warfare dynamics.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February 2025, Driscoll focused on modernizing army systems, enhancing recruitment strategies, and fortifying the military industrial base. Driscoll’s family history of military service inspired his commitment to prioritizing soldiers’ needs during his tenure.
Before his role as army secretary, Driscoll unsuccessfully contested the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, securing approximately eight percent of the vote in a competitive field.
The resignation of Secretary Dan Driscoll reflects the ongoing changes within the U.S. military leadership structure during President Trump’s administration.