The Times (London)

# Army secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after 'tension with Pete Hegseth'

## Driscoll is the latest in a list of military generals who have been purged from the Pentagon since the arrival of Pete Hegseth

The US army secretary has resigned after 18 months in the job, the White House said, amid reports of tension with Pete Hegseth, the secretary of war.

Dan Driscoll, the civilian leader of the army, had repeatedly clashed with Hegseth, according to reports. The two were said to have a rocky relationship.

The White House did not give a reason for Driscoll's departure on Monday.

He is the latest senior military figure to leave his post, as the armed forces' senior leadership is shaken up amid conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.

The White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said: "Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again at the department of the army by providing outstanding leadership during historic military operations, restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more.

"The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the commander-in-chief and secretary of war."

Hegseth, a former television news commentator, has faced bipartisan criticism over the Pentagon's handling of the war in Iran, which began in February.

Widespread reports indicate depleted long-range missile and interceptor stockpiles. The Washington Post reported in August that President Trump demanded answers from Hegseth over the alleged shortages. Trump has denied that stockpiles are depleted and called the reports "treasonous".

Hegseth has overseen upheavel among the top ranks of the military while attempting to instill a "warfighter" ethos after complaining about "woke" aspects of the armed forces.

In April he ousted General Randy George, the army's top uniformed leader.

Driscoll publicly praised George after he resigned, which many viewed as a sign of the now-former secretary's strained relations with Hegseth.

Driscoll, a close friend of the vice-president, JD Vance, told Congress that he and his family drove to George's home and "all gave him a hug".

"That being said, the civilian leadership, the design of our system, is that they get to pick the leaders that they want," Driscoll added.

Driscoll, an Iraq war veteran, was tasked with cutting red tape for military contractors to help develop new drone technologies quickly.

George's replacement, General Christopher LaNeve, is pulling the plug on a drone modernisation programme championed by Driscoll.

Hegseth, 46, is reported to be weighing up a run for president in 2028.

He is believed to have pushed for military action against Iran before Trump began the war earlier this year.