Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Trump Names Adam Telle Acting Army Secretary After Driscoll Exit
Donald Trump chose Adam Telle to temporarily lead the United States Army.
Telle had been responsible for the Army’s Civil Works programs.
He has also spent many years working for Republican senators and in the White House.
Dan Driscoll left the job earlier this week.
News reports said Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had disagreements.
Driscoll did not publicly give a reason for resigning.
Some lawmakers said the departure creates uncertainty in military leadership.
Telle is taking over while the Army is involved in the conflict with Iran.
The reports differ on whether Trump announced the appointment on Thursday or Friday.
President Donald Trump appointed Adam Telle acting Secretary of the Army with immediate effect.
Telle has led the Army’s Civil Works office since August 2025 after Senate confirmation.
He previously worked for Republican senators and served as Trump’s chief Senate liaison.
Dan Driscoll resigned without publicly explaining his decision amid reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The leadership change comes as Army forces remain involved in the conflict with Iran and deployed across the Middle East.
- Who
- President Donald Trump appointed Adam Telle to replace Dan Driscoll as acting Secretary of the Army.
- What
- Telle was named acting Army secretary after Driscoll resigned.
- When
- The reports place Trump’s announcement on Thursday or Friday, with the appointment effective immediately; the articles were published September 4, 2026.
- Where
- The appointment concerns the United States Army and the Pentagon.
- Why
- Driscoll resigned amid widely reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, although he gave no public explanation.
Congressional Critics
Trump Administration
Impact of Driscoll’s resignation
Congressional Critics
Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including Senators Jack Reed and Thom Tillis, said the departure and broader turnover were creating instability or a leadership void in the military.
Trump Administration
The White House had previously praised Driscoll as highly effective in advancing Trump’s agenda, strengthening readiness and lethality, and supporting Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
Hegseth’s role
Congressional Critics
Some lawmakers and reports blamed Pete Hegseth for disruption at the Pentagon and cited reported clashes with Driscoll and the removal of some of Driscoll’s allies.
Trump Administration
Hegseth endorsed Telle, describing him as strong, highly intelligent and an immediate asset to the Army.
Telle’s appointment
Congressional Critics
Critics may regard the appointment as adding uncertainty because the Army is facing several senior leadership vacancies during an ongoing conflict.
Trump Administration
Trump called Telle a respected “Great Patriot,” while Hegseth said he would immediately benefit the Army.
- New acting secretary
- Adam Telle
- Previous position
- Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
- Civil Works tenure
- Telle was sworn into the position on August 5, 2025, after Senate confirmation.
- Prior experience
- He worked for more than 20 years for Republican senators and in the White House.
- Departing secretary
- Dan Driscoll, an Army veteran who served in Iraq
- Reported reason for departure
- Reports described tensions and disagreements between Driscoll and Pete Hegseth; Driscoll did not confirm a reason.
- Military context
- The United States remains engaged in conflict with Iran, with significant Army forces in the Middle East.
