The White House announced on Monday that Dan Driscoll, the U.S. Army Secretary, is resigning after serving for 18 months. His departure is the latest in a series of high-ranking military leaders leaving during the current administration of President Donald Trump. While no specific reason was provided for Driscoll’s exit, reports suggest tensions with War Secretary Pete Hegseth played a role.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for his effective leadership in advancing President Trump’s military agenda, emphasizing initiatives to bolster readiness and military strength. The sudden departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan earlier this year marked the first exit of a military service head in Trump’s second term.
In recent shakeups, Gen. Randy George was ousted by Hegseth in April, and Gen. Christopher Donahue resigned from his role as the army’s commander in Europe and Africa in June. Gen. Christopher LaNeve has assumed the position of the army’s acting chief of staff, following George’s departure. LaNeve has made significant changes, including discontinuing a drone modernization program previously championed by Driscoll.
Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, was described by Trump as a “disruptor and change agent” when he was nominated in 2024. As army secretary, Driscoll played a key role in negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine and promoting the development of drone technology for military use. His confirmation by the U.S. Senate in February 2025 highlighted his commitment to modernizing army systems and supporting soldiers, a cause he deeply connected with due to his family’s military background.