In brief
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has announced his resignation following 18 months in office, a move attributed to a prolonged clash with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Known as President Donald Trump’s “drone guy,” Driscoll was praised by the White House for championing Trump’s agenda and leading operations. His departure follows recent exits of other senior military figures, including Navy Secretary John Phelan. The resignation adds to concerns about stability within the Pentagon after multiple senior officers have been dismissed.
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns After 18 Months in Office
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has tendered his resignation after approximately 18 months in the role.
The departure, confirmed by CBS, stems from a prolonged clash between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The young official, often dubbed President Donald Trump’s “drone guy,” was praised by the White House for advancing Trump’s “Make America Strong Again” agenda and for his leadership during military operations.
He had previously served in the Army, leading a cavalry platoon and deploying to Iraq in 2009, then later became the Army’s chief of staff and a close ally of Vice‑President J.D. Vance.
Driscoll’s exit follows the resignations of other senior officers, including Navy Secretary John Phelan, Army Chief of Staff Randy George, and Generals David Hodne and William Green, as Hegseth removes more than a dozen senior leaders.
The Army secretary’s tenure also saw him act as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and play a key role in discussions on ending the Russia‑Ukraine war and in deploying National Guard forces in U.S. cities.
