U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has decided to step down from his position after serving for 18 months, as confirmed by the White House on Monday. This move adds to the series of departures of high-ranking military officials under President Donald Trump’s second administration. The reason for Driscoll’s departure was not disclosed, but reports suggest tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth may have played a role.
In a statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for his effective leadership in advancing President Trump’s military agenda, emphasizing readiness, strength, and successful negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The sudden departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan in April marked the first exit of a military service head during Trump’s second term. Additionally, Gen. Randy George, the army’s top uniformed leader, was ousted by Hegseth in April, and Gen. Christopher Donahue, the army’s commander in Europe and Africa, unexpectedly stepped down in June.
Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who has risen swiftly under Hegseth’s leadership, replaced George as the army’s acting chief of staff. LaNeve’s directives include discontinuing a drone modernization program previously championed by Driscoll. Driscoll, an ally of George, expressed regret over his departure, which was also mourned by bipartisan lawmakers.
Described by Trump as “a disruptor,” Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran and tech investor, was appointed in 2024 as the army secretary. His responsibilities included negotiating to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and streamlining processes for military contractors to develop drones and counter-drone capabilities efficiently. The U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment in February 2025 after a largely uneventful armed services committee hearing focused on modernizing army systems and strengthening military recruitment.
Driscoll’s military lineage, with his father and grandfather having served in the army, influenced his commitment to prioritizing soldier needs. His military service as an armour officer included a deployment to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010. Driscoll also ran for a North Carolina congressional seat in the 2020 Republican primary, garnering approximately eight percent of the vote.