Dan Driscoll has announced that his last full day as U.S. Army secretary will be Wednesday. His social media post did not provide a reason for his resignation after 18 months in the role. Driscoll is known to have good relationships with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, although reports indicate tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Some of Driscoll's allies in the Army were removed this year by the Pentagon leadership under President Donald Trump.
Prior to his resignation, Driscoll spoke with Trump regarding the current state of the Army. In his post on X, Driscoll expressed that it has been "the honor of a lifetime" to serve as Army secretary under Trump and Hegseth, praising soldiers, their families, and the Army's civilian workforce for their contributions to modernization efforts.
Driscoll's departure occurs amid renewed military action against Iran, leaving the Army without confirmed civilian or uniformed leaders. The Pentagon has not indicated who will temporarily fill Driscoll's position. Hegseth previously removed Gen. Randy George, the Army's top uniformed leader and an ally of Driscoll, leading to concerns among lawmakers about leadership stability.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers expressed concerns about the elimination of a specialized drone unit and requested a briefing from the Army regarding this decision. Driscoll was instrumental in efforts to streamline military contracting processes for drone development. He was also appointed as a negotiator for peace talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly acknowledged Driscoll's contributions in a statement regarding his resignation, highlighting his leadership during significant military operations. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed regret over Driscoll's exit, with some criticizing Hegseth's leadership style.
Sen. Thom Tillis urged Trump to appoint a new leader who would support military talent rather than diminish it. Critics, including Sen. Jack Reed, have suggested that Hegseth's leadership has fostered a culture of fear within the Pentagon.
Some Republicans defended Hegseth, asserting that he has the authority to ensure the right personnel are in place to maintain military readiness. The Pentagon has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the criticisms of Hegseth following Driscoll's resignation.