WASHINGTON — US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation amid reports of growing tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the White House confirmed on Monday.
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly did not deny a report by The Wall Street Journal that Driscoll had resigned. Instead, she praised his record in office and described him as an effective official who had helped advance President Donald Trump’s military agenda.
“Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army,” Kelly said.
She also credited him with showing “outstanding leadership” during US military operations, strengthening the Army’s focus on readiness and combat power, and supporting negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
“The US Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War,” Kelly added.
If formally accepted, Driscoll’s resignation would become the latest departure of a senior military leader under the Trump administration. His exit could also leave the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership at a critical moment.
Driscoll, a former law school classmate of Vice President JD Vance, was reportedly helped by his friendship with the vice president. However, his relationship with Hegseth was said to have become increasingly strained.
Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, blamed Hegseth for the departure. “It is far past time for President Trump to recognise the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defence,” Reed said.
An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Driscoll unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020 before becoming an adviser to Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign.
The resignation comes as the war with Iran enters its seventh month. Hegseth dismissed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April and has not yet nominated a permanent successor.
