U.S. Army Secretary Driscoll submits resignation: White House

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation, the White House confirmed on August 31, 2026, amid reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration faces a series of high-level departures in senior military leadership. White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly acknowledged Driscoll’s resignation without directly confirming it, emphasizing his contributions to advancing the president’s security agenda.

Kelly praised Driscoll’s leadership in strengthening the U.S. Army, highlighting his role in restoring operational readiness and supporting negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. “Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army,” she stated. Kelly also credited him with enhancing the Army’s lethality and effectiveness alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.

Driscoll, a former law school classmate of Vice President J.D. Vance, had benefited from their close relationship within the administration. However, his tenure was marked by friction with Hegseth, a key figure in Trump’s defense leadership. The resignation follows earlier leadership shakeups, including the removal of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April by Hegseth, who has not yet nominated a permanent successor.

Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized Hegseth for the turmoil, stating, “I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll's resignation... It is far past time for President Trump to recognize the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defense.” Reed’s comments reflect broader concerns about instability within the Department of Defense.

Driscoll, an Iraq War veteran, had previously run unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020 before serving as an advisor to Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. His departure leaves the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership at a time when the U.S. remains engaged in the seventh month of conflict in Iran. The absence of a permanent Army secretary and chief of staff could further complicate military decision-making and operational continuity.

The White House has not yet announced whether Driscoll’s resignation will be accepted. His exit adds to a growing list of senior military officials who have left or been removed under Trump’s second term, raising questions about leadership stability within the Pentagon.

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