US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns After Months of Pentagon Tensions

Washington: US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned from his position after roughly 18 months in office, becoming the latest senior military official to leave the Pentagon amid a period of significant leadership changes.

Driscoll's resignation was confirmed by CBS, the BBC's US media partner. His departure reportedly follows months of friction with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, although the precise nature of the disagreements has not been publicly detailed.

The White House praised Driscoll's record, saying he had been highly effective in advancing President Donald Trump's defence agenda and had provided strong leadership during military operations.

At 41, Driscoll was the youngest person to serve as Army secretary. He became particularly associated with Trump's push to expand the use of drones and emerging military technologies, earning him the nickname Trump's "drone guy."

From Army Officer to Senior Pentagon Official

Driscoll has a background in the US military. He joined the Army as an officer in 2007 and later commanded a cavalry platoon before deploying to Iraq in 2009.

His experience in the military, combined with his interest in emerging battlefield technology, helped shape his role as Army secretary.

During his time in the administration, Driscoll also became involved in diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war. He travelled overseas and held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of efforts aimed at finding a possible path toward ending the conflict.

Driscoll is also known as a close friend and political ally of Vice-President JD Vance, whom he met while studying at Yale Law School.

Senior Military Leadership Sees Further Turnover

Driscoll's resignation comes amid a broader reshuffling of senior US military leadership.

The administration has already seen several prominent departures, including Navy Secretary John Phelan, who left his post in April.

Other senior figures who have departed include Army Chief of Staff Randy George, Army General David Hodne and Major General William Green.

Since taking charge at the Pentagon, Hegseth has removed or overseen the departure of more than a dozen senior military officers, including the Chief of Naval Operations and the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff.

Driscoll's relationship with Hegseth had reportedly become increasingly strained. His friendship with Randy George was also seen as a potential source of tension, particularly amid reports that George had been encouraged to step down.

Role Carries Major Responsibility

The Army secretary is the senior civilian leader of the US Army, overseeing policy and administration for active-duty forces as well as the Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

During his tenure, Driscoll was involved in several major policy initiatives under the Trump administration.

He also played a role in the administration's decision to deploy the National Guard to US cities, making him a prominent figure in domestic security operations.

In addition, Driscoll temporarily served as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

His departure now creates another significant vacancy in the Pentagon's senior leadership structure as the Trump administration continues its efforts to reshape the US military and defence establishment.

The White House has highlighted Driscoll's contribution to Trump's defence priorities, while the circumstances surrounding his resignation remain largely undisclosed.

The Pentagon, Army and White House have not publicly provided detailed explanations for the reported disagreements between Driscoll and Hegseth.