United States Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned from his post, submitting his resignation letter to President Donald Trump, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation who spoke to CNN. The resignation comes six months into the Iran war, which continues without a clear resolution in sight.
Background of Tension with Defense Secretary
The departure was described by one source as expected, given the sustained friction between Driscoll and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over recent months. Driscoll's exit follows months of tension that had been building within the Pentagon's leadership.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly acknowledged the resignation in a statement, saying: "Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army by providing outstanding leadership during historic military operations, restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more."
Pentagon Response and Reporting
CNN said it had reached out to the Pentagon for comment. The Wall Street Journal was first to report on Driscoll's exit. The White House praised Driscoll's record but did not address the reported tension behind his departure.
Driscoll, an Army veteran and close personal friend of Vice President JD Vance, has served during a turbulent period at the Pentagon. His resignation marks another significant personnel shift at the Department of Defence under Hegseth's leadership.
Previous Leadership Changes in the Army
The split between Driscoll and Hegseth is not the first sign of instability at the top of the Army's leadership. Earlier this year, Hegseth removed Army chief of staff General Randy George along with two other generals. Driscoll and George had worked closely together during their time in their respective roles, and the firing of George is widely seen as part of the broader pattern of tension that ultimately contributed to Driscoll's exit.
The resignation raises further questions about the stability of the country's military command structure, as the Iran war continues without a clear resolution in sight.
