WASHINGTON: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump after months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The decision comes as the Trump administration faces continued pressure over military leadership and the ongoing war in Iran.
An Army official confirmed that Driscoll spoke with Trump about the current condition of the Army before submitting his resignation. The official did not provide further details about the reasons behind his decision.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s work in a statement, saying he had played an important role in carrying out Trump’s defense agenda.
She credited him with leading the Army during major military operations, strengthening its focus on readiness and combat capability, and helping with diplomatic efforts involving Russia and Ukraine.
Driscoll, a former Army soldier and longtime friend of Vice President JD Vance, has maintained close ties with the White House. He and Vance were classmates at Yale Law School and remained friends after graduation.
The relationship between Driscoll and Vance became a source of tension inside the Pentagon, according to previous reports. Hegseth was reportedly concerned that Driscoll’s direct relationship with the White House could allow him to bypass the defense secretary.
The resignation also comes after major changes to the Army’s senior leadership. Earlier this year, Hegseth removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and two other senior generals. George had worked closely with Driscoll, adding to concerns about growing divisions within the Army’s leadership.
Driscoll had also taken part in efforts connected to negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Trump selected him last year to help encourage Ukraine to return to negotiations with Russia.
The Army secretary’s exit could further reshape the Pentagon’s leadership as the United States continues its military operations in Iran. Recent reports have highlighted disagreements among senior military officials over the length and impact of the ongoing operations.
