Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Dan Driscoll Expected to Leave Army Post Amid Hegseth Tensions
Dan Driscoll is the civilian leader of the United States Army.
A Wall Street Journal report says he may leave his job by the end of the year.
The report connects his possible departure to tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Army is already missing a permanent chief of staff because Hegseth removed General Randy George in April.
Christopher LaNeve is temporarily doing that job.
Driscoll and George worked together on using new technology and lessons from the war in Ukraine.
Private companies committed more than $25 billion to projects connected to Army bases during Driscoll's tenure.
Driscoll's family moved to North Carolina, while he moved into a smaller apartment.
President Donald Trump recently praised Driscoll publicly.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is reportedly expected to leave his post by the end of the year.
His possible departure could create another leadership gap atop the United States Army.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Chief of Staff General Randy George in April without publicly explaining the decision.
Christopher LaNeve is serving as acting chief of staff while no permanent successor has been nominated.
Driscoll promoted commercial military technology, lessons from Ukraine and more than $25 billion in private Army-related projects.
- Who
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are central to the reported tensions; General Randy George and General Christopher LaNeve are involved in the Army's leadership changes.
- What
- Driscoll is reportedly expected to leave as Army secretary, while the Army remains without a Senate-confirmed permanent chief of staff.
- When
- Driscoll is expected to leave by the end of the year; Hegseth removed George in April, and Driscoll's family moved from the official residence during the summer.
- Where
- The changes concern the United States Army. Driscoll's family relocated to North Carolina, while Driscoll moved to an apartment at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
- Why
- The Wall Street Journal report links Driscoll's expected departure to months of tension with Hegseth, including disagreement following an attempted visit involving Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Criticism and Leadership Concerns
Official Silence and Public Praise
Removal of General Randy George
Criticism and Leadership Concerns
Members of Congress, including Republicans, criticized Hegseth's decision and expressed support for George. Driscoll called George an "amazing, transformational leader."
Official Silence and Public Praise
Hegseth removed George in April without publicly explaining the decision and has not nominated a permanent replacement; the articles provide no direct public justification from Hegseth.
Driscoll's future
Criticism and Leadership Concerns
The Wall Street Journal report attributes Driscoll's expected departure to months of tension with Hegseth and notes that his family moved away from the official residence.
Official Silence and Public Praise
Despite uncertainty about his position, Trump publicly praised Driscoll at a defense conference; the articles do not report a confirmed official explanation for Driscoll's possible departure.
- Reported departure
- Dan Driscoll is expected to leave the Army secretary post by the end of the year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
- Army chief vacancy
- The Army has lacked a Senate-confirmed chief of staff since Randy George was removed in April.
- Acting chief
- Christopher LaNeve, the Army's vice chief of staff, is serving as acting chief of staff.
- Reported source of tension
- The report says tensions followed Driscoll's attempt to arrange a visit for Donald Trump and JD Vance to meet soldiers and discuss Army reforms.
- Technology agenda
- Driscoll and George advocated using emerging and commercially developed technologies, including lessons from Ukraine.
- Private investment
- Private companies committed more than $25 billion to projects including data centers, critical mineral refineries and dining facilities at Army bases.
- Trump's remarks
- Donald Trump publicly praised Driscoll at a defense conference in Pennsylvania last month.
