Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned on August 29, 2026, following a strained relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Sources indicate that Driscoll had repeatedly warned the White House, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, about Hegseth's actions, which included the firing of senior military officers without public explanation. Driscoll also raised concerns about Hegseth's efforts to block the advancement of vetted military personnel into senior ranks.
Driscoll's resignation comes at a critical time for the Army, which is facing increasing demands. He communicated with President Donald Trump during his resignation, informing him that Hegseth's actions were detrimental to the Army and limiting the pool of qualified officers for future leadership roles. Trump reportedly expressed surprise at the situation.
Hegseth has dismissed more than two dozen senior U.S. military officers without public justification. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that Trump has complete trust in Hegseth, who is credited with leading the Pentagon effectively. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that Hegseth maintains daily communication with the president and is committed to keeping the White House informed.
Driscoll, who had no prior national security experience, served in the Army from 2007 to 2010 and was previously involved in Republican politics. He gained bipartisan support in national security circles and was seen as a less combative alternative to Hegseth, advocating for modernization within the Army.
Driscoll's departure is part of a trend of high turnover among senior defense officials during Hegseth's tenure. Notable recent departures include former Navy Secretary John Phelan and Gen. Randy George, the Army's top officer at the time. Concerns have been raised by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall regarding the military's senior officers' responses to the Trump administration's actions.
The Army secretary position has historically seen frequent turnover, with many officials serving less than two years. Parnell is viewed as a potential successor to Driscoll, although he may face challenges during the confirmation process due to past allegations of abuse that he has denied.