Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Sep 1: US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down from his post after around 18 months in office, the White House has announced, marking the latest departure of a senior military official under President Donald Trump.
The White House did not disclose a reason for Driscoll’s resignation. However, reports of tensions between him and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have emerged in recent months. Driscoll is also a longtime friend of Vice President JD Vance, whom he met while studying at Yale Law School.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s tenure, saying he had played an important role in advancing the Trump administration’s agenda at the Department of the Army. She credited him with strengthening military readiness, supporting major military operations and contributing to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
A US Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Driscoll spoke with Trump about the state of the Army before submitting his resignation. The official did not provide further details.
Driscoll’s departure comes amid a broader shake-up in the Army’s senior leadership. In April, Hegseth removed Gen Randy George, the Army’s top uniformed officer. Gen Christopher Donahue, who commanded US Army forces in Europe and Africa, also stepped down unexpectedly in June.
Gen Christopher LaNeve subsequently replaced George as acting Army chief of staff. Under LaNeve, the Army has moved to end a drone modernisation programme that Driscoll had supported.
An Army unit in Europe had been developing its own drones before LaNeve ordered it to discontinue the programme and return to its traditional infantry role.
Driscoll was regarded as an ally of George and had expressed regret over his removal. He told Congress in April that he and his family had visited George following his resignation. At the same time, Driscoll acknowledged that civilian leadership had the authority to select military commanders.
A veteran of the Iraq War, technology investor and former adviser to Vance, Driscoll was nominated by Trump in 2024. Trump had described him as a “disruptor and change agent”.
As Army secretary, Driscoll was given the unusual responsibility of assisting negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He also advocated reducing bureaucratic hurdles for defence companies developing drones and counter-drone technologies.
The US Senate confirmed Driscoll in February 2025 by a 66-28 vote. During his confirmation hearing, he focused on Army modernisation, recruitment and strengthening the US defence industrial base.
Driscoll comes from a military family, with both his father and grandfather having served in the Army. He served as an Army armour officer from August 2007 to March 2011 and was deployed to Iraq between October 2009 and July 2010.
Before joining the Trump administration, Driscoll unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, securing around 8 per cent of the vote in a crowded primary.
His resignation adds to a series of senior military leadership changes under Trump and Hegseth, with several generals and admirals having been removed or stepping down since the administration took office.