Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to step down by Labor Day or shortly thereafter, according to multiple sources, marking the latest high-level Pentagon departure amid months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over military leadership and strategic decisions.
According to NBC News, Driscoll has been telling close associates that he would like to resign effective Labor Day. The timing reflects an escalating power struggle between the civilian Army leader and Hegseth, who has aggressively reshaped the Pentagon’s senior ranks since taking office.
The tensions between Driscoll and Hegseth have centered on disagreements over Army officer promotions and personnel decisions. According to reporting from The Hill, Driscoll opposed Hegseth’s moves to block the promotions of several Army officers, and Hegseth has fired 24 generals in an unprecedented Pentagon purge of senior military leadership. Hegseth also chastised Pentagon officials—including Driscoll—over how they handled revelations that Hegseth shared sensitive military information in a Signal chat group.
The conflict mirrors a pattern of leadership departures under Hegseth’s tenure. Navy Secretary John Phelan left the Pentagon in April 2026 after 13 months in office, also amid friction with the defense secretary. In April 2026, Hegseth forced out Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Driscoll’s top aide, without public explanation—a move that occurred during an ongoing military conflict.
Driscoll had previously denied plans to leave. In April 2026, he told the Washington Post he had “no plans to depart or resign as the Secretary of the Army,” and the White House issued a statement backing him. However, reporting from multiple outlets in late August 2026 indicates his position has shifted significantly. According to The Hill, the Pentagon is pushing LaNeve’s Army chief nomination amid Senate resistance, a move that may signal preparation for leadership changes at the top.
The departures leave the Army facing leadership gaps at critical moments. As of late August, the Army chief of staff position remained vacant following George’s ouster, and Daniel Driscoll serves as Secretary of the Army under Trump, though his tenure now appears to be winding down. Hegseth’s purges and leadership reshuffles have drawn scrutiny from military observers concerned about institutional continuity and decision-making at the Pentagon.
Sources
- NBC News — Reported that Driscoll told close associates he would like to resign effective Labor Day (Aug. 25, 2026)
- The Hill — Reported Driscoll plans to leave by late 2026 following months-long power struggle with Hegseth; detailed disagreements over officer promotions and Signal chat handling
- Reuters — Confirmed Army Chief of Staff Randy George was fired by Hegseth in early April 2026
- Washington Post — Reported in April 2026 that Driscoll denied plans to resign; noted disagreements over officer promotions
- CBS News — Confirmed Driscoll is considering stepping down by year-end amid friction with Hegseth
- CNN — Reported on Hegseth’s broader pattern of firing senior officers and distrust within the Pentagon
