Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after 18 months on the job, becoming the latest high-level military official to depart amid months of friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over personnel decisions and military strategy.
Driscoll, who became the youngest-ever Army secretary at age 38 when confirmed in February 2025, submitted his resignation to President Trump on August 31, citing concerns about the state of the Army and his disputes with Hegseth. A U.S. official told CBS News that Driscoll had raised concerns about the Army’s transformation efforts and the removal of generals overseeing those initiatives.
The core tension centered on Hegseth’s removal of senior military leaders and his blocking of officer promotions. In April, Hegseth ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George without explanation, a move that deeply troubled Driscoll. Testifying to Congress shortly after, Driscoll recalled driving to George’s home with his family. “We walked right in, and we all gave him a hug,” Driscoll said, describing George as “an amazing, transformational leader.”
Hegseth also blocked promotions of Black and female Army officers who had Driscoll’s backing, according to NPR. These personnel conflicts extended to Driscoll’s signature initiative: the Army Transformation Initiative, which focused on introducing unmanned systems and learning from Ukraine’s drone warfare. Hegseth pushed out generals supporting this effort, and the Army began phasing out a newly formed drone battalion that had been studying Ukrainian tactics.
Driscoll’s departure is part of a sweeping turnover of senior military leadership under Hegseth. According to Military.com, Hegseth has either fired or blocked the promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals since taking office. When Hegseth arrived in February 2025, the Army had 10 four-star generals on active duty; it now has five, according to NPR and the New York Times.
The broader exodus has raised alarms among Republican senators and military analysts. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who became acting Army chief of staff, is among those now under consideration for the permanent role, though Hegseth is also considering other candidates. On September 4, President Trump appointed Adam Telle, the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, as acting Army secretary to fill the vacancy.
Military experts have warned that the scale and speed of personnel removals under Hegseth is faster than any defense secretary in recent history. The ongoing Iran war, now in its fifth week of significant operations, adds urgency to the leadership vacuum. The White House said Driscoll had been “highly effective” and praised his role in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but the personnel clashes ultimately proved insurmountable.
Sources
- NPR — Driscoll’s 18-month tenure, his age and appointment date, Hegseth’s removal of Gen. George, reduction in four-star generals from 10 to 5, and Driscoll’s testimony about George
- CBS News — Driscoll’s resignation confirmation, friction with Hegseth, blocking of promotions for Black and female officers, Army Transformation Initiative details, and drone battalion phase-out
- Military.com — Hegseth removing or blocking promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals, comparison to other defense secretaries
- Washington Post — Driscoll’s resignation as part of broader leadership exodus under Hegseth
- AP News, WSJ, Trump announcement — Adam Telle appointed as acting Army secretary on September 4
