Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation on Monday, becoming the latest high-ranking military leader to leave the Pentagon amid reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The White House confirmed Driscoll’s resignation after he spoke with President Donald Trump about the state of the Army, though no official reason was provided for his departure. Driscoll, who served as the top civilian leader of the U.S. Army for 18 months, is the youngest person to hold the position.
Driscoll’s resignation follows repeated warnings to the White House about Hegseth’s removal of senior military officers, according to sources familiar with the matter. Driscoll had expressed concerns that Hegseth’s actions were undermining the Army’s leadership structure and shrinking the pool of qualified officers for future senior commands. More than two dozen senior U.S. military officers have been fired or sidelined by Hegseth since he took office, with many departures occurring without public explanation. Driscoll’s resignation comes at a critical moment, as the Army faces growing demands amid an ongoing conflict in Iran and a $1.5 trillion budget request.
White House and Pentagon officials defend Hegseth’s leadership while acknowledging Trump’s surprise at the extent of the firings. A White House spokesperson stated that President Trump has complete trust in Secretary Hegseth, citing recent military operations as evidence of his effectiveness. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that Hegseth communicates with the president daily and keeps the White House informed. However, sources cited by multiple outlets described Hegseth’s actions as chaotic and indiscriminate, with some generals and admirals removed despite their vetting and experience.
Driscoll’s tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the Army, including advancements in drone warfare and preparations for future conflicts. His supporters, including Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), praised his leadership, calling him a transformative figure who strengthened the Army’s readiness. In contrast, critics, such as Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), have raised concerns about the leadership void created by the departures of so many senior officers. Crow, a former Army Ranger, described the Pentagon as “in some cases, rudderless” due to the turnover.
Hegseth’s firing of senior officers has drawn scrutiny over its potential impact on military operations and morale. Before his appointment, Hegseth had criticized military leaders for prioritizing diversity initiatives over combat readiness, stating in a podcast that officers involved in “DEI woke s*” should be removed. Since taking office, he has overseen the removal of at least 20 generals, admirals, and civilian defense leaders, including the Army’s chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, and the head of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, Gen. David M. Hodne. The departures have disproportionately affected female and Black officers, with no active four-star women generals or admirals remaining in the military.
The resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll adds to the growing list of high-profile departures under the Trump administration, raising questions about the stability of Pentagon leadership. While the White House has framed Driscoll’s tenure as successful, his departure underscores broader concerns about the impact of leadership changes on military readiness and the future of the armed forces.