Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Army Secretary Driscoll Resigns Amid Reported Tensions With Hegseth
Dan Driscoll, who leads the civilian side of the U.S. Army, is leaving his job.
He sent his resignation to the White House.
Some reports said the White House accepted it, while an earlier report said that was not yet clear.
News reports described months of disagreement between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
One source said Driscoll believed Hegseth was blocking plans to modernize the Army and improve readiness.
Driscoll had also pushed the Army to buy cheaper weapons more quickly.
The White House praised him for supporting President Donald Trump’s goals and helping with Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
Another Army official, Dave Fitzgerald, was also expected to leave.
Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation as U.S. Army secretary, with reports saying he will leave in the coming days.
NBC News and the White House said the resignation was accepted, while Reuters initially reported that acceptance was unclear.
A source said Driscoll objected to Pete Hegseth blocking Army transformation and readiness efforts, including by removing senior generals.
The White House praised Driscoll’s leadership, readiness focus, and role in negotiations involving Russia and Ukraine.
Driscoll’s departure follows other senior Pentagon exits, including John Phelan and Gen. Randy George, while Dave Fitzgerald was also expected to resign.
- Who
- U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are the central figures; the White House and President Donald Trump are also involved.
- What
- Driscoll submitted his resignation and is expected to step down from the Army secretary position.
- When
- The resignation was reported on Monday, August 31; Driscoll had reportedly intended to leave by Labor Day.
- Where
- The resignation concerns Driscoll’s position at the Department of the Army and was submitted to the White House.
- Why
- Reports attributed the departure to tensions over Army transformation, readiness, modernization, and senior military leadership changes, although no complete official explanation was provided.
Reported Concerns About Hegseth
White House Praise For Driscoll
Army transformation and readiness
Reported Concerns About Hegseth
A source said Driscoll raised concerns that Hegseth was blocking Army modernization, transformation, and readiness initiatives.
White House Praise For Driscoll
The White House said Driscoll restored an emphasis on readiness and lethality while advancing President Trump’s agenda.
Senior military leadership
Reported Concerns About Hegseth
Sources said Hegseth viewed Driscoll as a bureaucratic threat and that the firing of Gen. Randy George increased Driscoll’s frustration.
White House Praise For Driscoll
The White House statement did not address the reported personnel disputes and instead highlighted Driscoll’s leadership and accomplishments.
Resignation acceptance
Reported Concerns About Hegseth
Reuters initially reported that it was unclear whether the White House had formally accepted Driscoll’s resignation.
White House Praise For Driscoll
NBC News and White House statements indicated that the resignation had been accepted.
- Resigning official
- Dan Driscoll, U.S. Army secretary
- Confirmation
- Driscoll was confirmed as Army secretary in February 2025.
- Resignation status
- NBC News and the White House indicated that the resignation was accepted; Reuters initially said formal acceptance was unclear.
- Reported dispute
- A source said Driscoll believed Hegseth was blocking Army transformation and readiness efforts, including through the removal of generals responsible for them.
- White House response
- Spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s leadership, readiness and lethality focus, military operations work, and assistance with Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
- Weapons policy
- Driscoll pushed the Army to acquire cheaper weapons more quickly and criticized major defense contractors.
- Additional departure
- Dave Fitzgerald, the Army’s deputy undersecretary focused on innovation, was also expected to resign.
