Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's resignation last week followed repeated warnings to the White House about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's conduct, including widespread firings of senior military officers and efforts to impede promotions, according to sources familiar with the matter. Driscoll also voiced these concerns directly to President Donald Trump when he submitted his resignation.
Sources described Hegseth's actions as "seemingly indiscriminate" and stated that he was blocking officers from advancing to the military's highest ranks after they had been vetted. Driscoll resigned during a critical period for the Army, which is facing a growing list of demands.
One source familiar with Driscoll's conversation with Trump indicated that the President appeared surprised by the extent of the issue. More than two dozen senior military officers have reportedly been removed or sidelined by Hegseth without public explanation.
A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, stated that the President has "complete trust in Secretary Hegseth, who is doing an incredible job leading the Pentagon," and that recent military operation results, including the war in Iran, "speak for themselves." Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell added that Hegseth "takes great pride in keeping the White House informed."
Driscoll, who had a background in venture capital and Republican politics and served as an Army first lieutenant from 2007 to 2010, was seen by some as a moderating influence. He had previously run unsuccessfully for Congress and worked for the Republican National Committee. Despite his unconventional background for national security, Driscoll gained bipartisan support and was viewed as less combative than Hegseth. He had also focused on modernizing the Army and integrating new technologies.
Some officials familiar with the dynamics suggested Driscoll's popularity partly stemmed from the contrast with Hegseth. The Army secretary position has historically seen significant turnover, with short tenures being common. John McHugh, who served from 2009 to 2015, was an exception.
Driscoll's departure is the latest in a series of high-profile exits during Hegseth's tenure. In April, then-Navy Secretary John Phelan and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George were reportedly forced out without explanation. Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall expressed concerns in a New York Times op-ed about senior military officers remaining publicly quiet on certain administration actions, suggesting it could put democracy at risk. A spokesperson for Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that Caine remains focused on his duties as the principal military advisor.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon spokesperson, is reportedly being considered as a potential replacement for Driscoll, though he has faced past allegations that he denied. Driscoll's tenure was also noted for his work on right-to-repair reforms with figures like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., aimed at simplifying equipment maintenance for troops.