Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned from his position, submitting his resignation to the White House after months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The resignation adds to a series of significant changes at the Pentagon, with high-level departures becoming a recurring theme.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported Driscoll’s decision to step down. Driscoll has been serving since February 2025 and was known to be an ally of former Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, who Hegseth removed earlier this year. Driscoll’s resignation highlights the ongoing scrutiny Hegseth faces due to several personnel changes among senior military leaders.
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. The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.
An email from Anna Kelly, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, praised Driscoll’s contributions and leadership. Driscoll’s role extended beyond traditional responsibilities, as he served in an unusual diplomatic capacity, playing a key part in U.S. efforts to facilitate an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
During his tenure, Driscoll also focused on accelerating military development of drones and counter-drone technology amidst evolving warfare needs reliant on unmanned systems, as reported by the Associated Press.
Recent Pentagon Leadership Changes
Driscoll’s resignation marks another shift at the Pentagon, where several senior military and civilian officials either left, were removed, or replaced under Hegseth’s command:
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll (reportedly stepping down)
- Former Army Chief of Staff General Randy George (fired)
- Former General Chris Donahue (stepped down)
- Former General David Hodne (fired)
- Former Major General William Green (fired)
- Former Navy Secretary John Phelan (departed immediately)
This wave of changes in leadership has sparked considerable discussion. Rajan Menon, professor emeritus at City College of New York, commented on the extensive upheaval in the senior levels of the Department of Defense and military officer corps.
Departure Amid War in Iran
Driscoll’s resignation takes place during a critical time as the Trump administration continues its military engagements against Iran. The U.S. has executed new military strikes against Iranian targets, and Driscoll’s departure takes place as the Army’s senior leadership undergoes a significant transformation.
The timing of the resignation raises ongoing questions about Hegseth’s management of the Pentagon and the stability of its leadership. Public sentiment toward the Iran conflict further complicates the situation. A University of Massachusetts Amherst poll from August 2026 shows 68 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran war. Similarly, a YouGov/Economist poll found 62 percent disapproval of Trump’s actions regarding Iran, with only 25 percent believing the war was justified.
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