Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns Amid Disputes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

<figure><img alt="pete hegseth dan driscoll dan caine" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/GXPNYIS4ORFJNMKLFVX7TLKKTY.JPG?auth=413838528d09b904d098e5c01e30ead866b71d1fbd0b2819fe128c42826aefa7&amp;smart=true&amp;width=997&amp;height=561" /><figcaption>Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation on August 31, 2026, following months of internal conflicts with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.</p><p>Driscoll is expected to leave the Pentagon in the coming days, as reported by <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/army-secretary-resigns-after-months-of-friction-with-hegseth-9c124207" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/army-secretary-resigns-after-months-of-friction-with-hegseth-9c124207">The Wall Street Journal</a>.</p><p>Driscoll, who is a close associate of Vice President JD Vance, reportedly had disagreements with Hegseth regarding the latter's management of the military, particularly concerning the dismissal of several senior officials.</p><p>White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated, “Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda at the Department of the Army by providing leadership during significant military operations, enhancing readiness and lethality, and assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.”</p><img alt="Driscoll was appointed as the 26th Army Secretary by Trump. / Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images" height="1662" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/JQREO7R4HJEZLMTN4AJ25GMWIQ.jpg?auth=d2e0a858680e0229d5fe56fe306eafae58950510f6abccc5b349f0181f31cd65&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2494&amp;height=1662" width="2494" /><p>She added, “The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.”</p><p>The Pentagon referred inquiries to the Army, which has not yet responded.</p><img alt="Driscoll and Hegseth haven't seen eye to eye. / Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images" height="4000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/TXC44MEE3ZD2ZODHVEW6ZU4PTE.jpg?auth=1f55e72ed897954a9cab0b46261ca34131d3e2265cbd3378df958d66afc46b21&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=4000" width="6000" /><p>According to the Journal, Driscoll’s deputy undersecretary, Dave Fitzgerald, is also anticipated to resign later this week.</p><p>Driscoll has reportedly been contemplating resignation for some time, with <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/army-secretary-talked-resigning-labor-day-sources-say-rcna594431" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/army-secretary-talked-resigning-labor-day-sources-say-rcna594431">NBC News</a> indicating he aimed to resign by Labor Day.</p><img alt="Hegseth has not been a fan of Driscoll during his tenure as defense secretary. / Daniel Heuer / REUTERS" height="2199" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/Y5HBRE5L3FADTMAR3PVZSBSNSU.JPG?auth=056f7ba8432318c0c4cad3ad578268c579ef41a02e33ff03e4f7613eb852eb5d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3909&amp;height=2199" width="3909" /><p>As Driscoll departs, the Army will lack any Senate-confirmed civilian or military leaders, following the dismissal of former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George by Hegseth in April.</p><p>Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who was previously Hegseth’s military aide, has assumed the role of acting Army Chief of Staff, but Hegseth intends to retain him permanently.</p><img alt="Christopher LaNeve’s nomination won’t advance out of the Senate Armed Services Committee without unanimous Republican support. / Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters" height="4000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/WDZYF3YKQZFZVD6JMNYLESRWIM.JPG?auth=ada57336252d7f1e114cf23e4cf1243ca351a44539750792491a6c43e4f3a1e0&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=4000" width="6000" /><p>Reports suggest that Hegseth has felt insecure about Driscoll’s position and has sought to replace him to safeguard his own role within the administration.</p><p>A source close to the administration indicated, “[Hegseth] is very concerned about being fired and he knows that Driscoll is one of the top contenders, or a natural contender, to succeed him.”</p><p>According to NBC News, Hegseth has dismissed individuals close to Driscoll, including George, and has attempted to override Driscoll’s decisions when possible.</p><p><i>This is a developing story and will be updated.</i></p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/army-secretary-dan-driscoll-resigns-amid-beef-with-pentagon-pete-hegseth/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>