President Donald Trump has appointed Adam Telle as the acting Army secretary, following the resignation of Dan Driscoll. The move comes amid widely reported tensions between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Telle, currently the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, has a background in Republican politics, having served for over 20 years with Republican senators and in the White House during Trump's first term. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Telle as a "Great Patriot, who is respected by all."
Hegseth also offered congratulations on X, calling Telle "Strong and whip smart" and an "immediate asset to the @USArmy."
Driscoll, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, did not provide a specific reason for his departure. His tenure was reportedly marked by clashes with Hegseth, and some individuals allied with Driscoll within the Army were dismissed earlier this year by Trump's Pentagon chief. The Associated Press has reported that Driscoll spoke with Trump about the Army's current state before submitting his resignation.
Before his current role at the Army Office of Civil Works, which he joined in August 2025, Telle served as chief of staff for Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee from 2021 to 2025. His previous experience includes 18 months in the White House during Trump's first term and a decade working for the late Republican Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi. He also served as the chief staff member for the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee.
In his recent civilian role, Telle focused on commercial navigation, flood damage reduction, and permitting under the Clean Water Act. His work included overseeing the approval of a company's plans to reroute an oil pipeline around a Wisconsin tribal reservation and commenting on a significant flood control project in North Dakota.
Telle's appointment places him in charge of the Army during a period of ongoing U.S. military engagement in the Middle East. The Army operates critical weapons systems, such as the Patriot and THAAD missile interceptor systems, which have been impacted by U.S. involvement in conflicts. Driscoll reportedly had good relationships with members of both parties in Congress and was considered a friend of Vice President JD Vance.
Some lawmakers have expressed concern over Driscoll's departure. Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, stated on social media that Hegseth "is creating a leadership void at the top of our military ranks." The Army's top uniformed leader, Gen. Randy George, was among those ousted by Hegseth. Gen. Christopher LaNeve has since taken over as the Army's acting chief of staff and recently halted a drone modernization program that Driscoll had supported.