Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is preparing to step down by the end of the calendar year, according to reports citing sources familiar with the matter. His departure follows several months of reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll has reportedly clashed with Hegseth on multiple issues, including the blocking of several Army officer promotions and the April ouster of Chief of Staff Randy George, a key Driscoll ally. George's removal has left the Army without a Senate-confirmed leader, as President Trump has not yet nominated a replacement.
Sources suggest Hegseth's actions have been influenced by "insecurity and paranoia" stemming from a past incident known as "Signal-gate," and that some of his close aides have exacerbated these concerns. The White House has previously supported Driscoll, with one source stating Hegseth could not dismiss him at the time.
The firing of General George, who was confirmed by the Senate in 2023 and had served as a senior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, has been a point of contention. George had also advocated for diversity training within the military. Driscoll reportedly intervened when Hegseth previously attempted to remove George, emphasizing that merit should determine outcomes.
George's ouster occurred after Hegseth moved to block the promotions of four officers and following a controversial incident involving Apache helicopters near Kid Rock's home. George reportedly attempted to discuss the blocked promotions with Hegseth but was rebuffed.
Hegseth has also dismissed over a dozen other senior military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chief of Naval Operations.
Prior to his current role, Driscoll worked in venture capital and led an Army cavalry scout platoon during the Iraq War. Some Pentagon officials have suggested Driscoll focused too much on his political future, while others have defended his tenure, citing institutional changes and a reluctance to engage in culture war issues.
Driscoll has already moved his family to North Carolina and is living in separate, smaller housing on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, a Virginia base near Arlington Cemetery where defense officials reside.