US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has turned in his resignation after 18 months in charge.
His departure was confirmed by CBS and the BBC’s US media partner, which reported it followed months of tension between him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll—often dubbed President Donald Trump’s "drone guy"—has spearheaded the Army’s push into unmanned aerial systems and engaged in high‑level talks to end the Russia‑Ukraine war.
He has been a close friend of Vice‑President J.D. Vance, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, deployed the National Guard to major U.S. cities during 2024, and served briefly as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The resignation comes amid a larger exodus of senior military leaders: Navy Secretary John Phelan quit in April, Army Chief of Staff Randy George retired, and other generals such as David Hodne and William Green stepped down. Hegseth’s tenure has seen the firing of more than a dozen senior officers, including the chief of naval operations and the Air Force’s vice‑chief of staff.
While the exact cause of the friction remains unclear, CBS notes Driscoll’s friendship with George may have played a role, and Hegseth has been known to push for leadership changes that align with his vision for the Department of Defense.
The Army Secretary is the top civilian officer responsible for directing active‑duty troops, the National Guard and reserve soldiers. Driscoll’s exit marks the first major change to that post since the previous administration.
For more on the impact of this resignation and the pattern of leadership turnover across the Department of Defense, follow the links below.
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