The U.S. Army is losing its top civilian leader after just 18 months on the job.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning following months of reported friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, bringing an early end to a tenure that included efforts to reshape the service and expand its use of emerging military technology.
The White House confirmed Driscoll’s resignation Monday but did not provide a reason for his departure.
Driscoll has served as the Army’s top civilian leader since his Senate confirmation in February 2025. During his tenure, he helped oversee the Army during the war with Iran and participated in U.S. efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement Monday.
Despite that praise, Driscoll’s departure follows reports of growing disagreements between him and Hegseth over the direction of the Army.
Driscoll Reportedly Raised Concerns About Hegseth
CBS News reported that Driscoll raised concerns with the Trump administration that Hegseth was interfering with efforts to transform the Army, including by removing generals who had been involved in carrying out some of those changes.
NBC News reported a similar account.
“Driscoll brought up concerns with the administration surrounding Army transformation and readiness and Hegseth’s blocking those efforts specifically by firing the generals who were responsible,” a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Among the senior officers removed was Gen. Randy George, the former Army chief of staff who had worked closely with Driscoll on efforts to reshape the service.
George and Driscoll had pushed to expand the Army’s use of drones and other unmanned systems as the service looked to adapt to lessons emerging from modern conflicts and prepare for future wars.
Some of those plans have since been scaled back.
Driscoll’s resignation now raises questions about what direction the Army’s transformation efforts will take under new civilian leadership and whether the changes he and George championed will continue.
Another Senior Army Official Could Follow
Driscoll may not be the only senior Army official heading for the exit.
CBS News reported that Deputy Army Undersecretary Dave FitzGerald is also expected to step down this week.
If FitzGerald departs as expected, the Army would lose two senior civilian officials in a matter of days as the service faces questions over readiness, modernization and its future leadership.
