The White House announced on Monday that U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning after serving for 18 months. This departure is part of a series of changes in top military leadership during President Donald Trump’s second term. Although no specific reason was provided for Driscoll’s resignation, reports suggest tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth played a role.
According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, Driscoll played a crucial role in advancing President Trump’s agenda at the Department of the Army. His leadership during significant military operations, focus on readiness and lethality, involvement in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, among other contributions, have strengthened the U.S. Army.
Earlier in April, Navy Secretary John Phelan became the first military service head to step down during Trump’s second term. Additionally, Gen. Randy George and Gen. Christopher Donahue also departed from their roles in the army, further highlighting the ongoing changes in military leadership.
Gen. Christopher LaNeve has succeeded George as the acting chief of staff under Hegseth’s guidance. Notably, LaNeve decided to discontinue a drone modernization program initiated by Driscoll, redirecting an army unit in Europe from drone development back to traditional infantry duties.
Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, was praised by Trump as a “disruptor and change agent” during his nomination in 2024. As army secretary, Driscoll played a key role in negotiating an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and advocated for streamlining processes for military contractors to develop drones and counter-drone capabilities swiftly.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Driscoll in February 2025 with a 66-28 vote, emphasizing the importance of modernizing army systems and enhancing recruitment efforts. Driscoll, whose family has a history of military service, expressed a commitment to prioritizing the welfare of soldiers during his tenure. Additionally, he served as an armour officer from 2007 to 2011, including a deployment to Iraq from 2009 to 2010.
Despite his resignation, Driscoll’s impact on the U.S. Army and military operations is expected to be remembered by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, reflecting his dedication and service to the nation.