President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Adam Telle, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will serve as the acting Army Secretary. Telle assumes the role immediately, replacing Dan Driscoll, who resigned earlier this week.
Trump lauded Telle in a social media post, calling him "a Great Patriot, who is respected by all." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also praised the appointment, describing Telle as "strong and whip smart" and an "immediate asset to the @USArmy."
Telle was sworn into his current position as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works in August. In this role, he has overseen civilian aspects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an agency responsible for infrastructure projects, including dams and flood damage reduction initiatives. His responsibilities included setting policy direction and supervising the civil works tasks undertaken by the agency.
Before his appointment to the Trump administration, Telle held senior staff positions for Republican senators. From 2021 to 2025, he served as chief of staff for Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. Prior to that, he worked for approximately a decade in the office of then-Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, holding roles such as deputy chief of staff and legislative director. His work in Cochran's office included contributing to Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Telle also served on a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security's budget.
During Trump's first term, Telle was part of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, acting as the "President's chief liaison to the Senate."
Telle's appointment comes at a period of significant turnover within the Department of Defense. Approximately 20 military and civilian leaders have departed their positions since Hegseth assumed leadership of the Pentagon. This recent flux has drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who has publicly urged Trump to consider replacing Hegseth, citing concerns about a "leadership void at the top of our military ranks."