Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump, concluding a period of sustained pressure from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Four sources familiar with the dynamic told the Daily Mail that Driscoll's departure was the culmination of an escalating rivalry characterized by petty and vindictive tactics.
Driscoll cited Hegseth's extensive influence as a primary reason for his decision, stating that the Secretary of War's heavy-handed approach had stripped him of necessary officials to implement his military reforms. While Trump offered Driscoll the option to remain through the midterm elections, Driscoll opted for an earlier departure.
"It has been the honor of a lifetime," Driscoll said in a statement Tuesday night, thanking Army soldiers for their service and sacrifice. Though Driscoll publicly thanked Hegseth for his "support" of his reforms, Hegseth did not reciprocate the sentiment.
Driscoll's appointment to the Army Secretary position was reportedly influenced by his friendship with Vice President JD Vance. "That never sat right with Hegseth," one source told the Daily Mail.
Driscoll and Vance's friendship dates back to their time at Yale in 2011, and they have maintained a close personal relationship, even vacationing together.
Sources indicate that Hegseth grew increasingly "paranoid" and suspected Driscoll of operating as an "independent power." The friction intensified when Trump tasked Driscoll, bypassing Hegseth, with negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, granting Driscoll a direct line to the Oval Office.
The relationship between Hegseth and Driscoll was described as inherently combative. Hegseth is characterized as brash and aggressive, while Driscoll focused on building alliances with Army generals. This dynamic was likened to "putting two scorpions in a box."
Both sides reportedly suspected the other of leaking information to the media. The Pentagon has been investigating leaks related to Hegseth's leadership since the previous year, with dozens of members of the Joint Staff undergoing polygraph tests. Driscoll's allies believed Hegseth's team was providing negative material about Driscoll to right-wing influencers.
Incidents that fueled the conflict included reports of Driscoll's wife donating to a Democratic congresswoman and a photograph of Driscoll with Congressman Eugene Vindman, who played a role in Trump's first impeachment. Right-wing influencer Laura Loomer also publicly accused Driscoll of "constant screw ups" and "orchestrating a coup" against Hegseth.
The Department of War denies any involvement by Hegseth or his team in these leaks.
The tension extended to Hegseth's relationship with Vice President Vance. The two have reportedly differed on the use of military force, as evidenced by discussions over strikes on Yemen where Vance counseled caution while Hegseth advocated for action. Reports of Hegseth considering a presidential run have further heightened internal tensions.
While Vance's office stated that the Vice President and Secretary Hegseth are "close friends working in lockstep," and a Pentagon spokesman dismissed the story as an attempt "to sow division where none exists," the underlying friction is evident.
Vance, when asked about a potential Hegseth presidential campaign, advised focusing on the midterms and expressed support for both Driscoll and Hegseth, backing Hegseth's push for a "culture shift" at the Pentagon.
Hegseth, however, continued to exert pressure on Driscoll, resisting demands to remove Army generals associated with Driscoll. Hegseth has since removed or halted promotions for at least 80 generals, admirals, and other officials, including Army Chief of Staff General Randy George and Army Transformation and Training Command chief General David Hodne.
Sources indicate that removing Driscoll directly was not an option due to his friendship with Vance and White House directives. However, Hegseth and his allies reportedly engaged in a campaign of mockery and criticism against Driscoll, targeting personal aspects such as his daughter's aspirations and holiday greetings.
Driscoll's departure has reportedly become a rallying point for Department of War employees discontented with Hegseth's leadership, and some are beginning to voice opposition. Retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis has called on Trump to replace Hegseth.
"At the end of the day, a lot of the stuff that happens in DC is not something that we feel, because the leaders try to shield the force," a former military officer told the Daily Mail. "They are feeling it now."