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US Army secretary expected to step down by year's end after months of tension with Hegseth - report
Reports say Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to leave his post by the end of 2026, possibly earlier, after months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. His departure would leave the Army without a Senate-confirmed secretary, adding to leadership gaps following the firing of Gen. Randy George.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Expected to Leave Post
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to step down by the end of 2026, or possibly earlier, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and The Hill. The reports, citing people familiar with the discussions, say his departure follows months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A separate report by The Hill said Driscoll is also considering leaving around the end of the year. One source told The Hill that Driscoll had previously indicated that an Army secretary in the Trump administration was expected to serve for about 23 to 24 months.
Driscoll’s spokesperson and Pentagon officials declined to comment on the reports.
Leadership Gaps in the Army
If Driscoll leaves, the Army would be without a Senate-confirmed secretary. The service also currently lacks a Senate-confirmed chief of staff after Hegseth removed Gen. Randy George from the post in April without publicly giving a reason. President Donald Trump has not nominated a replacement for Army chief of staff. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army vice chief of staff and a former senior military aide to Hegseth, is serving as acting Army chief of staff. His confirmation has reportedly faced objections from lawmakers in both parties.
Tensions with Hegseth
Driscoll, a longtime friend and ally of Vice President JD Vance, has been involved in a reported dispute with Hegseth over influence within the Pentagon. According to The Wall Street Journal, tensions emerged early in the Trump administration after Driscoll offered to organize a visit by Trump and Vance with soldiers to discuss Army reforms. The relationship reportedly became more strained after Trump selected Driscoll to negotiate with Ukrainian officials as part of efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Driscoll had developed a close working relationship with George, and the two pushed the Army’s transformation efforts, including the integration of drones and artificial intelligence into military formations. They also traveled to Ukraine together with Gen. Chris Donahue to discuss peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Driscoll’s Army Transformation Agenda
A former Army Ranger and venture capitalist, Driscoll has focused on modernizing equipment and improving Army infrastructure. Private companies pledged more than $25 billion for projects including data centers, critical mineral refineries, and dining facilities on Army bases across the US. Driscoll and his family moved out of the house reserved for the Army secretary at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, with his family relocating to North Carolina and Driscoll himself moving into a smaller apartment on base.
At a defense conference last month, Trump praised Driscoll, calling him one of “the best guys” and “a killer.” During a congressional hearing, Driscoll described George as “an amazing, transformative leader.”
Background
Driscoll is a former Army Ranger who served as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader with the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned a law degree from Yale Law School and later worked in venture capital and private equity, serving as a senior adviser to Vance. Trump nominated Driscoll as Army secretary, describing him as a former soldier, investor, and political adviser. He was confirmed by the Senate on February 25, 2025, by a 66-28 vote.
Driscoll expected to leave by end of 2026 or earlier
Tensions with Hegseth per WSJ
The Hill reported Driscoll considering leaving around end of year (but note: says 'end of year' not 'end of 2026' in this source? Actually it says 'end of 2026' in first sentence and 'end of the year' later. We'll use as written)
One source said 23-24 months expected tenure
Spokesperson and Pentagon declined to comment
Army without Senate-confirmed secretary and chief of staff
Hegseth removed George in April without reason
LaNeve serving as acting chief, facing objections
Driscoll ally of Vance, dispute with Hegseth
Tensions emerged after Driscoll offered to organize visit
Trump selected Driscoll to negotiate with Ukrainian officials
Driscoll and George pushed Army transformation including drones and AI
Driscoll focused on modernizing equipment, living conditions, Ukraine lessons
Private companies pledged $25 billion
Traveled to Ukraine with George and Donahue
Driscoll called George 'amazing, transformation leader'
Trump nominated Driscoll, Senate confirmed Feb 25, 2025, 66-28 vote
Framing: Emphasizes tensions with Hegseth and Driscoll's resignation, highlighting the conflict and timing. — Neutral, factual reporting with a hint of drama ('power struggle', 'friction').
Facts Included:
Driscoll expected to step down by late 2026 or earlier
Friction with Hegseth cited by WSJ
The Hill reported Driscoll aiming to exit around end of 2026
Source said 23-24 months is expected tenure
Spokespeople for Driscoll and Pentagon declined to comment
Army would lack Senate-confirmed secretary and chief of staff
Hegseth removed Gen Randy George in April without explanation
Trump has not nominated permanent successor
Gen Christopher LaNeve serving as acting chief, facing objections
Driscoll ally of VP Vance, power struggle with Hegseth
Tensions emerged after Driscoll offered to arrange visit for Vance and Trump
Trump selected Driscoll to lead Ukraine discussions
Driscoll and George launched Army Transformation Initiative
Driscoll traveled to Ukraine with George and Donahue to discuss with Zelensky
Driscoll background: Army Ranger, venture capitalist
Private enterprises pledged over $25 billion for projects
Driscoll called George 'an amazing, transformation leader'
Trump praised Driscoll at Pennsylvania event, quote
Driscoll confirmed Feb 25, 2025, 66-28 vote
Driscoll served as Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader in Iraq, Yale Law grad, senior adviser to Vance
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimUS Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to step down from his post by the end of 2026, or possibly earlier.
ClaimA source familiar with the discussions told The Hill that Driscoll had previously indicated that 23 to 24 months is the expected tenure of an Army secretary under the Trump administration.
ClaimTensions emerged early in the administration after Driscoll offered to arrange a visit for Trump and Vance to meet soldiers and discuss Army reforms.
ClaimThe Army Transformation Initiative aimed to deliver combat capabilities, streamline force structure, eliminate waste, and integrate drones and artificial intelligence into formations.
ClaimDriscoll advocated for improved living conditions for personnel, modernizing equipment, and applying lessons from Ukrainian forces on commercial technology.
ClaimPrivate companies pledged to invest over $25 billion in data centres, critical mineral refineries, and dining facilities on US Army installations.
ClaimTrump praised Driscoll at a defense event in Pennsylvania, saying "With that beautiful smile, but he's actually a killer... Those are the best guys, actually."
ClaimDriscoll and his family moved out of the army secretary's residence; his family relocated to North Carolina, and Driscoll moved into a smaller apartment.