U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning after serving for 18 months, as confirmed by the White House on Monday. This development marks another high-profile departure from the top military leadership within President Donald Trump’s administration. The reasons behind Driscoll’s departure remain undisclosed, although reports suggest tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth may have played a role. The military has been witnessing significant changes in leadership, with the Army experiencing notable shifts.
In a statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly highlighted Driscoll’s effective leadership in advancing President Trump’s agenda at the Department of the Army. She emphasized his contributions to enhancing military operations, readiness, and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The White House praised Driscoll for strengthening the U.S. Army in collaboration with the commander-in-chief and secretary of war.
Earlier in April, Navy Secretary John Phelan became the first military service head to step down during Trump’s second term. Additionally, Gen. Randy George, the army’s top uniformed leader, was abruptly removed by Hegseth in April, while Gen. Christopher Donahue, the army’s commander in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly resigned in June.
Following George’s departure, Gen. Christopher LaNeve assumed the role of acting chief of staff under Hegseth’s leadership. LaNeve implemented changes, such as discontinuing a drone modernization program previously championed by Driscoll. Instead, an army unit in Europe transitioned back to a traditional infantry battalion under LaNeve’s direction.
Driscoll, a close associate of George, expressed regret over his departure, drawing bipartisan support from lawmakers. Despite the transition, Driscoll acknowledged the civilian leadership’s prerogative to select new leaders for the military.
Described by Trump as “a disruptor and change agent,” Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, played a crucial role as an army secretary. He was actively engaged in negotiating to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and advocated for streamlining processes for military contractors to develop drones and counter-drone capabilities swiftly in response to evolving warfare dynamics worldwide.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February 2025, Driscoll’s appointment focused on modernizing army systems, enhancing recruitment, and strengthening the military industrial base. Driscoll’s family history of military service influenced his commitment to prioritizing soldiers’ needs. He served as an armor officer from 2007 to 2011, including a deployment to Iraq from 2009 to 2010.
In addition to his military background, Driscoll ventured into politics, running for a North Carolina congressional seat in the 2020 Republican primary, where he secured about eight percent of the votes among multiple candidates.