Army Secretary Driscoll Expected to Resign by End of 2026, Amid Strained Ties with Defense Secretary Hegseth

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll plans to step down by the end of 2026, ending months of strained relations with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to reports. Driscoll's departure would leave the Army without a Senate-confirmed leader.

Leadership Vacuum Looms

The Wall Street Journal reported the development on Friday, citing sources.

In April, Driscoll denied any plans to resign or step down. He stated he remained "fully focused" on Army readiness.

Driscoll's departure would not be the first this year. In April, Hegseth removed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, a trusted ally of Driscoll, without providing an explanation. George emphasized the need for "leaders of character" in his farewell letter.

President Trump has not yet named a successor. General Christopher LaNeVe, Hegseth's former senior military aide, currently serves as acting Chief of Staff.

In June, the House Armed Services Committee advanced a bipartisan measure requiring the Pentagon to justify senior officer removals, reflecting growing congressional unease over Hegseth's roughly two dozen leadership changes.

Hegseth's consolidation of Pentagon power extends beyond the Army. He removed Navy Secretary John Phelan in April after Phelan complained to Congress about being sidelined in shipbuilding decisions.

According to the Wall Street Journal report, Driscoll's family relocated to North Carolina this summer, and he moved into a smaller military base apartment.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Modernization Push

As a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, Driscoll worked with George to accelerate battlefield technology adoption, drawing lessons from Ukraine. He remained committed to military modernization, drone integration, and electronic warfare.

During his tenure, private enterprises reportedly committed over $25 billion to data centers, mineral refineries, and dining facilities at Army bases.

Last month, Trump praised Driscoll at a defense conference in Pennsylvania, calling him "a killer" but with a friendly smile.