US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns Amid Tension
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned after about 18 months in the role, following months of conflict with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll steps down after serving about 18 months
- Departure follows months of behind-the-scenes friction with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Exit comes amid a string of high-profile military departures in the Pentagon
- Driscoll previously led talks on Ukraine and is a close ally of JD Vance
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has officially submitted his resignation after holding the top civilian leadership position in the US Army for approximately 18 months. His departure was confirmed by CBS, the BBC's US media partner, which reported that the exit came following months of ongoing conflict and tension between him and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll's resignation marks the latest in a series of high-profile departures among military leaders in Washington. Earlier in April, Navy Secretary John Phelan abruptly quit his post. Other notable exits include Army Chief of Staff Randy George, Army Gen David Hodne, and Maj Gen William Green. Since taking charge at the Pentagon, Hegseth has dismissed more than a dozen senior military officers, including the chief of naval operations and the Air Force's vice-chief of staff.
While specific details regarding the friction between Driscoll and Hegseth remain unclear, reports note that the outgoing army secretary is close friends with Gen George, who was reportedly asked by Hegseth to resign. The army secretary position serves as the top civilian leader responsible for directing active-duty troops, the National Guard, and reserve soldiers across the United States.
The departure of high-ranking defense officials under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth highlights a significant internal realignment within the Pentagon. Given Dan Driscoll's prominent background—including his close ties to Vice-President JD Vance and his involvement in high-level foreign policy discussions—his exit signals a notable shift in the administrative and strategic dynamics of US military leadership.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Before stepping into his civilian leadership role, Driscoll served in the US Army, becoming an officer in 2007 before leading a cavalry platoon and deploying to Iraq for several months in 2009. Over the past year, he also took on a prominent role in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which included international trips and meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Furthermore, Driscoll is known to be a close ally and friend of Vice-President JD Vance, having first met him while studying at Yale Law School. During his tenure leading the US Army, he played a key role in the deployment of the National Guard to various US cities and briefly served as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Source: BBC World
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