US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns

The US Army’s top civilian leader, Dan Driscoll, has submitted his resignation amid reported tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the White House confirmed on Monday.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed Driscoll’s departure while responding to a Wall Street Journal report that he had resigned.

“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 praised his “outstanding leadership” during US military operations, saying he had helped restore a focus on readiness and lethality, supported negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and contributed to other key initiatives.

“The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War,” she added.

Driscoll’s resignation, if accepted, would be another significant departure from President Donald Trump’s administration.

A former law school classmate of Vice-President JD Vance, Driscoll was reportedly helped by his relationship with Vance within the administration but later clashed with Hegseth.

Senator Jack Reed, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, blamed Hegseth for Driscoll’s departure.

“I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll’s resignation,” Reed said. “It is far past time for President Trump to recognise the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defence.”

Driscoll, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020 before later advising Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign.

His resignation could leave the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership as the conflict with Iran enters its seventh month.

Hegseth dismissed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April and has yet to nominate a permanent successor.

— AFP

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