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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down, White House says
+283 words added -289 words removed
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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned after just 18 months on the job that included repeated clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll was an Army officer in Iraq and became the youngest-ever Army secretary last year at age 38.
Middle East conflict Hegseth ousts the Army chief of staff as the Iran war rages through Week 5 He was heavily focused on new technologies and was sometimes called President Trump's "drone guy."
But Driscoll and Defense Secretary Hegseth were often at odds.
Back in April, Hegseth dismissed the chief of the Army, Gen. Randy George, without giving a reason.
Driscoll was asked about this when he testified in April on Capitol Hill. He said he was on vacation with his family in North Carolina when he heard the news, and they all drove to Gen. George's home.
"We walked right in, and we all gave him a hug," Driscoll testified. He was an amazing, transformational leader."
When Hegseth took office last year, the Army had 10 four-star generals on active duty. Today, it has five.
Before Driscoll became Army secretary, he worked in venture capital and explored ways new technology could upgrade the Army's drone program.
However, the Pentagon recently announced the dismantling of an Army drone unit in Europe that had been studying Ukraine's drone successes against Russia.
However, the position is not part of the military chain of command. Driscoll was not commanding Army troops in the Middle East, though the Army has significant forces throughout the region.
They are both military veterans who served in Iraq and met at Yale Law School, becoming good friends. Vance pushed for Driscoll to get the position as Army secretary.
Driscoll served as a political adviser to Vance during the 2024 campaign.
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− National Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after clashes with Defense Secretary Hegseth Updated September 1, 20268:47 AM ET Originally published September 1, 202612:43 AM ET Greg Myre
FILE - U.S.
+ National Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after clashes with Defense Secretary Hegseth Updated September 1, 20268:47 AM ET Originally published September 1, 202612:43 AM ET Greg Myre
U.S.
− Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll walks on stage during a celebration open to the public in honor of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
+ Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll walks onstage during a celebration in honor of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
− Army on June 10, 2025 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
+ Army on June 10, 2025, in Fort Bragg, N.C.
− Hegseth fired a number of top Army generals, and has been promoting officers seen as more aligned with the defense secretary.
+ Hegseth fired a number of top Army generals and has been promoting officers seen as more aligned with the defense secretary.
− "There is no person that has more respect for General George and his 42 years of service.
+ "There is no person that has more respect for Gen.
+ George and his 42 years of service.
− Hegseth also blocked promotions of Black and women army officers who had the support of Driscoll.
+ Hegseth also blocked promotions of Black and female Army officers who had the support of Driscoll.
− These personnel differences were seen as the main reason, but not the only reason that they didn't see eye to eye.
+ These personnel differences were seen as the main reason, but not the only reason, that they didn't see eye to eye.
− In the broad sense, Driscoll's resignation is seen as significant because its part of a constant churn at the Pentagon under Hegseth, which has continued as the Iran war is still playing out with no end in sight.
+ In the broad sense, Driscoll's resignation is seen as significant because it's part of a constant churn at the Pentagon under Hegseth, which has continued as the Iran war is still playing out with no end in sight.
− National Pentagon says Navy secretary is leaving, the latest departure of a top defense leader As Army secretary, Driscoll held the Army's top civilian position, a critical job with a focus on issues such as overseeing personnel, dealing with the army's budget and longer-term planning.
+ National Pentagon says Navy secretary is leaving, the latest departure of a top defense leader As Army secretary, Driscoll held the Army's top civilian position, a critical job with a focus on issues such as overseeing personnel, dealing with the Army's budget and longer-term planning.
− The White House said in a statement that Driscoll was "highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again," and noted that he took part peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war.
+ The White House said in a statement that Driscoll was "highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again," and noted that he took part in peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war.
− Driscoll is very close with Vice President J.D.
+ Driscoll is very close with Vice President JD Vance.
− Vance.
− Even before Driscoll resigned, there's been widespread media speculation that he would leave the job at some point to join a Vance campaign.
+ Even before Driscoll resigned, there had been widespread media speculation that he would leave the job at some point to join a Vance campaign.