U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has announced his resignation after serving for 18 months, according to a statement from the White House on Monday. This departure adds to the list of recent changes in top military leadership during President Donald Trump’s second term. Although no specific reason was provided for Driscoll’s exit, there have been reports of tensions between him and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for his significant contributions to advancing President Trump’s military agenda, emphasizing improvements in readiness, military operations, and diplomatic efforts such as negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The departure of Driscoll follows a series of shakeups in the military, with Navy Secretary John Phelan being the first to step down in April during Trump’s second term.
In April, Hegseth also removed Gen. Randy George from his position as the army’s top uniformed leader, while Gen. Christopher Donahue, the army’s commander in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly resigned in June. Gen. Christopher LaNeve has assumed the role of acting chief of staff in place of George, under whom the army has decided to discontinue a drone modernization initiative that was previously supported by Driscoll. This move aligns with LaNeve’s direction for the service to focus on traditional infantry activities.
Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, has been described by Trump as a “disruptor and change agent.” During his tenure as army secretary, Driscoll played a key role in negotiating peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine and advocated for streamlining processes for military contractors to enhance drone and counter-drone capabilities. Following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate in February 2025, Driscoll prioritized the needs of soldiers, drawing on his family’s military background with both his father and grandfather serving in the army.
In addition to his military service, Driscoll was involved in politics, having run unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020. His commitment to modernizing army systems, enhancing recruitment, and strengthening the military industrial base were key themes during his confirmation process, reflecting his dedication to advancing the army’s capabilities.