Army Secretary Dan Driscoll considering stepping down, sources say

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is contemplating leaving his position by the end of 2026, according to sources familiar with the matter. This potential move comes after months of reported friction between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The tension between the two leaders was highlighted in early April when Hegseth asked Gen. Randy George, a close associate of Driscoll, to step down and take early retirement as Army Chief of Staff. At the time, George reportedly sent an email to Driscoll and other staff members emphasizing the need for "courageous leaders of character" for U.S. service members.

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U.S. service members deserved "courageous leaders of character."

This development also follows recent reports that the Army intends to phase out a specialized drone battalion. This unit, the Unmanned Assault Battalion, was formed just last year by George and Gen. Christopher Donahue to study and integrate lessons from drone warfare, particularly from the conflict in Ukraine. Current and former U.S. officials suggest the decision to disband the battalion stems from disagreements between its proponents and the acting Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Christopher LaNeve.

Driscoll, who has served as Army Secretary since February 2025, previously emphasized the importance of learning from the war in Ukraine. He and Gen. George had also jointly launched the Army Transformation Initiative last year, focusing on unmanned systems. Driscoll, a former Army officer who deployed to Iraq, later earned a law degree from Yale and worked in private equity before entering public service.

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I don't think I've talked to a single person who has said we shouldn't be learning from what's occurring in Ukraine.