US Army secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after 18 months in office

Dan Driscoll is leaving as US Army secretary after 18 months, adding another senior military departure to the changes underway in President Donald Trump’s administration.

The White House announced his departure without stating a reason. Reports have said Driscoll, a friend and former adviser to Vice President JD Vance, repeatedly came into conflict with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Driscoll had “worked extremely successfully to advance President Trump’s agenda.” She credited him with leading historic military operations, strengthening the Army’s readiness and supporting negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Driscoll also pushed for faster development of drones and systems designed to counter them. A veteran of the Iraq War and a technology investor, he won Senate confirmation in February 2025 by a vote of 66 to 28.

His departure follows the April removal of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, Hegseth’s decision that month to leave Navy Secretary John Phelan’s position vacant, and the unexpected departure in June of General Christopher Donahue, commander of US forces in Europe and Africa. Driscoll had been an ally of George and had criticized his departure.

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worked extremely successfully to advance President Trump’s agenda