According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on August 31st, local time, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Drezic submitted his resignation to President Trump after months of disputes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegeman regarding the direction of the military and the dismissal of several high-ranking Army officers. It is expected that he will leave the Defense Department within the next few days.
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Coats Wall Street Journal
The White House confirmed this news. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement: “Minister Driscoll has effectively advanced President Trump’s agenda of ‘Making America Great Again’ within the Army Department. He has demonstrated remarkable leadership during historic military operations, re-emphasized combat readiness and lethality, and assisted negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.” She also said, “Due to his efforts alongside the Commander-in-Chief and the ‘War Minister’, the U.S. Army is now stronger than ever before.”
It is noteworthy that after Driscoll's departure, the U.S. Army will face a rare leadership vacuum. Neither the civilian head of the Army, nor the military head of the Army, Christopher Moncion, has a nominee approved by the Senate for these positions. The current acting chief of staff, Christopher Moncion, has been in office since April this year. At that time, Haggess suddenly dismissed Army Chief of Staff Randy George, but the Trump administration has yet to nominate a successor for that position.
Driscoll and Hergeseth’s conflict has been made public for a long time.
In February of this year, Haggith ordered Driscoll to replace his senior military advisor and spokesperson, David Butler, causing a stir within the Pentagon. Many American media sources quoted anonymous officials, stating that the differences between the two had not only involved personnel arrangements but also included Haggith's interference in the promotion of some Army generals and his interference with internal Army management issues.
In April, after Hagee unaccountably dismissed Army Chief of Staff Randy George and two other senior officers, the power struggle between them escalated further. There were even rumors that Driscoll, a ally of Vice President Vance, might replace Hagee as Defense Secretary. However, Driscoll publicly denied the rumors, saying he had “no plans to resign.”
Driscoll is 38 years old and is one of the youngest military chiefs in Trump’s second term. He was appointed as Army Secretary in February 2025, after being approved by the Senate. During his tenure, he led the efforts to modernize the Army, emphasizing the use of drones, commercial technology, and efficient procurement processes. He also represented the Trump administration in mediating matters related to Ukraine.
Now, with his resignation, the ongoing personnel turmoil at the Pentagon during Trump's second term has escalated further. Previously, several high-ranking military officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Deputy Secretary of the Navy for Operations, and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, have both left their posts or been dismissed from their positions.
