US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump following months of mounting tension with War Secretary Pete Hegseth over military leadership. The resignation statement follows disagreements regarding the future development of the army and the recent dismissals of several senior officers.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Driscoll could leave the Pentagon in the coming days. His departure will leave the United States Army without a single Senate-confirmed civilian or military leader overseeing the branch.
General Christopher LaNeve currently serves as acting Army Chief of Staff. He stepped into the role after Hegseth removed his predecessor, General Randy George, from the position in April.
Responding to the move, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly commended the outgoing official. She said Driscoll was extremely effective in advancing President Trump's Make America Strong Again program within the Department of the Army. Kelly stated that Driscoll demonstrated outstanding leadership during historic military operations, restored focus on combat readiness and lethality, and assisted in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. She added that his work alongside the commander-in-chief and the War Secretary made the army more powerful than ever.
The Department of the Army is one of three military departments within the United States Department of Defense, responsible for land combat operations. Under United States administrative procedures, senior military officers and civilian leaders require Senate confirmation to hold permanent leadership appointments.
Dismissals of Senior Officers
Last week, Driscoll attended a ceremony at Fort Bragg to mark the conclusion of service for General Chris Donahue. Donahue was reported to be the highest-ranking United States Army officer in Europe until Hegseth downgraded the status of his position, effectively bringing his military career to an end.
Fort Bragg, located in North Carolina, is a major military base that serves as headquarters for airborne and special operations units. Donahue previously commanded Delta Force, the elite counter-terrorism unit of the armed forces, during military operations against Islamic State.
The Wall Street Journal noted that Donahue's sudden departure was presented as part of a wider effort by Hegseth to reduce the total number of generals and admirals by 10 percent. The initiative also seeks to cut four-star general and admiral positions by 20 percent.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the resignation of Donahue following his service commanding Delta Force. In addition, some Republicans voiced opposition to Hegseth's plan to appoint LaNeve as the next permanent Army Chief of Staff, signaling that the Senate may decline to confirm his nomination if submitted.
Leadership Ties and Pentagon Disputes
Before joining the administration, Driscoll attended law school alongside Vice President JD Vance. A former Army officer, Driscoll maintained close working relations with George before Hegseth dismissed the general. Together, Driscoll and George encouraged service members to adopt new technologies and become more adaptable and dangerous to enemies on the battlefield.
The Pentagon, situated in Arlington, Virginia, functions as the central headquarters for the Department of Defense. Vice President JD Vance serves as the second-highest executive officer in the United States government.
The tension between Driscoll and Hegseth comes amid wider questions surrounding Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon. Hegseth appointed his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, as his most influential advisor and head of the President's Commission on Military Families. The role is an unpaid post dedicated to improving conditions for military families. However, her attendance at a 2025 meeting between Hegseth and senior British defense officials caused concern among foreign officials and prompted scrutiny of Hegseth's management style.
Hegseth also recently engaged in a sharp argument with President Trump over a shortage of missiles, according to reporting from The Washington Post. Trump believed ammunition stockpiles had already been replenished and requested an explanation for the inventory deficit. Sources stated that Hegseth placed blame on his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, alleging that Feinberg failed to ensure proper oversight of weapons supplies or inform the president about the true situation.
Leadership Transition Ahead
Driscoll is expected to depart from the Pentagon in the coming days, leaving the Department of the Army facing an unprecedented leadership gap. Senate lawmakers will decide whether to approve future nominations submitted by the Pentagon leadership as military staffing changes continue.
