Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned on August 31 after months of escalating tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over military leadership and the direction of the service, according to multiple sources. Driscoll, who served for 18 months, submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump amid repeated clashes with Hegseth over Army personnel decisions and modernization priorities.
Hegseth has aggressively reshaped the military’s top ranks since taking office. According to the New York Times, he has fired or blocked the promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals—roughly 10 percent of the military’s highest-ranking officers. The removals began in April 2026 when Hegseth forced out Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, directing him to take immediate retirement. Since then, the Pentagon chief has continued removing senior officers and blocking promotions across all service branches.
The scale and pace of Hegseth’s removals have alarmed military officials and prompted warnings about institutional damage. Frank Kendall, who served as Air Force Secretary during the Biden administration, told PBS NewsHour on September 2 that Hegseth has created a “climate of fear” at the Pentagon. Kendall stated the atmosphere was unprecedented in his experience, saying officers at all levels are now afraid to voice concerns or disagree with the defense secretary’s directives.
Military experts have raised concerns about the consequences of removing experienced commanders during an active conflict. The U.S. remains engaged in a war with Iran, now in its sixth month, and military officials have reportedly cautioned that the conflict is unsustainable. Removing battle-tested leaders during wartime, critics argue, weakens the military’s operational capacity and decision-making at the highest levels.
Driscoll had been well regarded by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and his departure marks another significant loss of experienced leadership under Hegseth’s tenure. The resignation follows a pattern of high-level departures and forced retirements that has reshaped the Pentagon’s civilian and military leadership in less than a year. Hegseth has also blocked the promotion of officers from underrepresented groups, drawing additional scrutiny from Congress and military analysts who question the rationale for the removals.
Hegseth’s blocking of Army officer promotions and the broader tensions between Driscoll and Hegseth have become central to debates over military leadership and civilian control of the armed forces. The departures have left some commands without permanent leadership and raised questions about whether the Pentagon can function effectively during a period of rapid turnover and ideological realignment.
Sources
- Wall Street Journal — Driscoll’s resignation following months of friction with Hegseth over Army direction.
- CNN — Driscoll’s resignation submission and tensions with Hegseth.
- New York Times — Hegseth has fired or blocked promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals, affecting about 10 percent of the military’s top ranks.
- PBS NewsHour — Frank Kendall’s statement that Hegseth has created a “climate of fear” at the Pentagon.
- NBC News — Driscoll’s resignation after 18 months and repeated clashes with Hegseth.
- ABC News — Driscoll’s resignation amid growing tension with Hegseth.
- NPR — Driscoll’s resignation after repeated clashes with Hegseth over Army leadership and war direction.
- The Guardian — Driscoll’s resignation over reported friction with Hegseth; Gen. Randy George’s ouster in April.
- Military Times — Driscoll’s resignation on short notice amid reported friction with Hegseth.
- CBS News — Hegseth ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George; at least 20 military and civilian defense leaders have been fired or departed.
