US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns After Months of Reported Tensions With Pete Hegseth

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation after about 18 months in the role, according to reports confirmed by the White House.

His departure comes after months of reported tensions between Driscoll and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Driscoll is the latest senior figure to leave the US defence establishment amid a period of significant leadership changes.

The 41-year-old Army secretary has often been described as President Donald Trump's “drone guy” because of his focus on modernising the military and expanding the use of drone technology.

In a statement, the White House praised Driscoll's record, saying he had been “highly effective” in advancing Trump's agenda and had provided strong leadership during military operations.

The BBC has contacted the White House, Pentagon and Army for further comment.

Reported Tensions at the Pentagon

Driscoll's resignation follows reports of disagreements with Hegseth over the direction of the Army and the removal of several senior military officials. Reuters reported that the tensions had increased following Hegseth's decision to remove Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Driscoll had also been closely associated with George, whose departure was followed by wider changes among senior Army leadership.

Other notable recent departures have included Navy Secretary John Phelan, as well as several senior Army officers.

Driscoll, a former Army officer and Iraq War veteran, had served as Army secretary since February 2025. During his tenure, he was involved in efforts to improve military readiness, modernise weapons acquisition and expand the Army's capabilities in emerging technologies.

Role in Trump Administration

Driscoll also became involved in the administration's broader defence and foreign-policy initiatives. He played a role in diplomatic discussions relating to Russia and Ukraine and was a prominent figure in the administration's efforts to reshape the Army.

He has also been described as a close ally of Vice-President JD Vance, whom he met while studying at Yale Law School.

During his time as Army secretary, Driscoll was also involved in the administration's response to domestic security situations, including the deployment of National Guard forces to US cities.

He additionally served for a period as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Leadership Changes Continue

Driscoll's resignation comes amid broader changes at the Pentagon, with several senior military and civilian officials having left their positions in recent months. His departure is expected to add to questions surrounding the future leadership structure of the US Army.

The White House has praised Driscoll's contribution, while reports of his disagreements with Hegseth have highlighted the tensions surrounding the ongoing restructuring of the US defence establishment.