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US Army Secretary Resigns Amid Reported Tensions with Defence Chief Hegseth
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

US Army Secretary Resigns Amid Reported Tensions with Defence Chief Hegseth

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • The White House confirmed that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation after reports of tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
  • A White House spokesperson praised Driscoll’s leadership, while Senator Jack Reed blamed Hegseth for harming the Defence Department.
  • The departure could leave the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership because Hegseth dismissed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April and has not named a permanent successor.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation, the White House confirmed Monday, ending the tenure of a senior Pentagon official amid reported tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army

— Anna KellyThe White House spokesperson praised Driscoll after the resignation was confirmed.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly did not deny a Wall Street Journal report that Driscoll had resigned. Instead, she praised his record, saying Driscoll had been “highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army.” She also cited his “outstanding leadership” during military operations, his focus on readiness and lethality, and his role in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Kelly added that “The US army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.”

The resignation would represent the latest departure of a senior military leader under President Donald Trump. Driscoll, a former law school classmate of Vice President JD Vance, reportedly benefited from their friendship in the administration but clashed with Hegseth.

outstanding leadership

— Anna KellyKelly cited Driscoll’s leadership during US military operations.

The political response was sharply different. Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll’s resignation … It is far past time for President Trump to recognise the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defence.”

The US army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.

— Anna KellyKelly credited Driscoll with strengthening the Army.

Driscoll served in Iraq, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020 and later advised Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. With the Iran war in its seventh month, his resignation could leave the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership. Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April and has not nominated a permanent replacement.

I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll’s resignation … It is far past time for President Trump to recognise the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defence.

— Jack ReedThe senior Senate Democrat blamed Hegseth for the resignation and wider damage to the Defence Department.
About this summary

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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