U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will be stepping down from his position after serving for 18 months, as announced by the White House on Monday. This departure marks another change in top military leadership during President Donald Trump’s second term, although no specific reason was provided for Driscoll’s exit. Reports suggest that tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth may have played a role in this decision, continuing a trend of significant shakeups in the army’s leadership.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll’s contributions, highlighting his efforts in advancing President Trump’s military agenda, enhancing readiness and lethality, and facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The statement credited Driscoll with strengthening the U.S. Army and working closely with the commander-in-chief and secretary of war.
Earlier in the year, Navy Secretary John Phelan became the first military service head to depart under Trump’s second term, followed by the removal of Gen. Randy George by Hegseth in April and the unexpected resignation of Gen. Christopher Donahue in June. Gen. Christopher LaNeve has assumed the role of the army’s acting chief of staff, succeeding George, and has made changes such as discontinuing a drone modernization program that Driscoll had championed.
Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, was described by Trump as a disruptor and change agent when he was nominated in 2024. He played a key role in negotiating an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and advocated for streamlining processes to enhance drone development and counter-drone capabilities amid evolving global warfare dynamics. Driscoll’s confirmation by the U.S. Senate in February 2025 underscored his commitment to addressing the needs of soldiers, drawing on his family’s legacy of military service.
Despite the challenges and changes in leadership, Driscoll’s departure has garnered bipartisan support and recognition, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressing appreciation for his service. Driscoll’s dedication to the army and his vision for modernizing military systems and recruitment efforts have left a lasting impact on the organization.