U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation, concluding an 18-month tenure marked by reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The White House confirmed Driscoll's departure, describing him as "highly effective" in advancing President Donald Trump's agenda and providing "outstanding leadership" during military operations. Driscoll, 41, was often referred to as President Trump's "drone guy" for his focus on emerging battlefield technologies.
Driscoll's resignation follows a string of high-profile departures from military leadership positions. These include Navy Secretary John Phelan, who abruptly resigned in April, Army Chief of Staff Randy George, Army Gen. David Hodne, and Maj. Gen. William Green. Sources suggest that friction between Driscoll and Hegseth was a contributing factor, with reports indicating that Hegseth had asked George to resign, and Driscoll was a close friend of George.
The role of Army Secretary is the primary civilian leader of the U.S. Army, responsible for directing active duty troops, the National Guard, and reserve soldiers. Driscoll, who previously served as an Army officer and deployed to Iraq in 2009, became known for his embrace of new technologies during his time as secretary. He played a significant role in discussions aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, undertaking foreign trips and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Additionally, Driscoll served as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He was also noted as a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, whom he met while attending Yale Law School. During his leadership, Driscoll was instrumental in the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities.