US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll could step down from his position by the end of the year amid reported tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to The Wall Street Journal. His possible departure could add to uncertainty at the top of the US Army, which is already operating without a Senate-confirmed chief of staff.
Driscoll’s potential exit comes months after Hegseth removed General Randy George as Army chief of staff in April. The Defence Secretary has not publicly explained the decision and has not yet nominated a permanent replacement. General Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s vice chief of staff, is currently serving as acting chief of staff.
Driscoll family moved to North Carolina
According to the report, Driscoll and his family moved out of their official residence at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall this summer. His family has relocated to North Carolina, while Driscoll is staying in a smaller apartment at the military installation.
Driscoll, a former Army Ranger and longtime friend of Vice President JD Vance, reportedly attracted Hegseth’s displeasure early in the Trump administration. The tensions emerged around an effort by Driscoll to arrange a visit involving Vance and President Donald Trump, where they would meet soldiers and discuss plans for Army reform.
Close relationship with former Army chief
Despite his reported differences with Hegseth, Driscoll developed a strong working relationship with General Randy George during his approximately 18 months as Army secretary.
The two worked to accelerate the Army’s adoption of emerging technologies, with an emphasis on commercially developed innovations that could be used for future military operations.
Their partnership was disrupted when Hegseth removed George from his position in April.
Lessons from Ukraine war
Driscoll also visited Ukraine with George and General Chris Donahue, then the Army’s senior general in Europe. During the visit, he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed issues linked to peace negotiations.
He also urged the Army to study the experience of the Ukraine war, particularly Ukraine’s use of commercially available technologies on the battlefield.
The approach reflected Driscoll’s broader focus on technology and the changing nature of modern warfare.
Army projects attract billions
During Driscoll’s tenure, private companies committed more than $25 billion to projects connected with Army facilities across the United States. These included data centres, critical mineral refineries and dining facilities.
His tenure has therefore included both organisational changes and efforts to attract private-sector investment into military infrastructure.
However, the political and leadership environment surrounding the Army has become more complicated following George’s removal.
Driscoll backed George
When questioned by lawmakers about George’s dismissal, Driscoll did not directly criticise Hegseth but made clear that he supported the former Army chief.
“I, too, love Gen. George,” Driscoll told lawmakers, describing him as an “amazing, transformational leader.”
The statement came as questions continued over the circumstances surrounding George’s removal and the absence of a permanent successor.
Trump has praised Driscoll
Despite the reported tensions surrounding his position, President Trump publicly praised Driscoll at a defence conference in Pennsylvania last month.
Trump highlighted Driscoll’s personality and described him as someone whose appearance did not necessarily reveal his toughness.
For now, Driscoll remains Army secretary, and there has been no official announcement confirming his departure. If he does leave by the end of the year, the move would further reshape the Army’s senior leadership at a time when the service is already awaiting a permanent chief of staff.
