Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump. This move comes after months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Wall Street Journal first broke the news of this resignation. Driscoll is expected to leave the Pentagon in the coming days.
Reports indicate his last day could be as early as September 4. Driscoll told close associates he wanted to resign effective Labor Day. He has served in this role since February 2025. According to RedState, he was anticipated to resign this year following conflicts with Hegseth.
EXCLUSIVE: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's wife gave a max contribution to a member of the seditious six who frequently criticizes Hegseth and the Trump Admin.
An Army Spokesperson told @RedState that the friendship precedes Driscoll's political career.https://t.co/7BJE947yaR
— R.C. Maxwell 🇺🇸 (@RCMaxw3ll) April 10, 2026
The conflict centers on the direction of the Army and the removal of senior officers. NBC News stated Driscoll differed with Hegseth over the ouster of officials like Gen. Randy George and Navy Secretary John Phelan. These officials were pushed out this spring. Driscoll also reportedly blocked promotions for several senior Army officers.
The White House issued a statement Monday evening to address the departure. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly praised Driscoll's work in a public statement. Driscoll was described by her as having 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"
Kelly added that "The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War." ABC News and New York Post both published these exact quotes. Driscoll did not respond to requests for comment from reporters. Fox News Politics observed that the resignation is still pending and has not yet been formally accepted.
Last week, Driscoll went to the White House to talk about his future. NBC News reported this meeting took place but was not clear on the outcome. Certain reports indicate he wished to depart the administration by Labor Day. Others say he will depart the Pentagon in the coming days.
The friction between Driscoll and Hegseth involves deep disagreements on Army readiness. New York Post stated that Hegseth worried about Trump firing him and substituting him with Driscoll. This fear reportedly stemmed from their differing views on transformation efforts. Driscoll raised issues regarding Army readiness and transformation with the administration. He specifically cited Hegseth's blocking of those efforts by firing generals who were responsible.
Driscoll is known as a close associate of Vice President JD Vance. His departure marks a significant shift in the civilian leadership at the Pentagon. The situation involves high-ranking officials and the future of military strategy. RedState noted that Driscoll had been expected to step down after these clashes. The timeline for his exit remains fluid as the White House processes the resignation.
This event highlights the intense pressure within the current defense leadership. The removal of senior officers has sparked debate about the path forward. Driscoll's resignation follows a pattern of high-level changes in the department. The White House continues to praise his contributions despite the reported internal strife.
Driscoll is expected to step down in the coming days. The White House has not yet confirmed the exact date of his departure. New York Post cited September 4 as a potential end date for his service. Other outlets simply say he will leave in the coming days. The status of his resignation remains pending according to some reports.
Observers are watching to see how the Army fills this critical leadership gap. The tension over officer removals and promotions remains a key issue. Driscoll's time in office began in February 2025 and will end soon.