US army secretary submits resignation amid reports of tensions with Pentagon chief Hegseth

US army secretary submits resignation against the backdrop of reports of tensions with Pentagon chief Hegseth.

Key points

• After reports of tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, united States Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation, the White House confirmed on Monday.
• Asked regarding a Wall Street Journal report that Driscoll had resigned, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly did not deny it.
• An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Driscoll ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020 and afterwards advised Trump's 2024 reelection campaign.
• "Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump's agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army, " Kelly remarked.
• Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff General Randy George in April and has yet to nominate a permanent successor.

US army secretary submits resignation against the backdrop of reports of tensions with Pentagon chief Hegseth. AFP Published September 1, 2026 Updated September 1, 2026 09: 47am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

She cited his "outstanding leadership" during US military operations, "restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more".

She continued: "The US army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War."

If accepted, Driscoll's resignation would mark the latest departure of a senior military leader under President Donald Trump's administration.

For context, a former law school classmate of Vice President JD Vance, Driscoll had reportedly benefited from their friendship within the administration, but clashed with Hegseth.

In practice, the most senior Democrat on the Senate's Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, laid the departure's blame at the defence secretary's feet, saying, "I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll's resignation. It is far past time for President Trump to recognise the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defence."

In practice, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, Driscoll ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020 and afterwards advised Trump's 2024 reelection campaign.

With the Iran war entering its seventh month, the resignation could effectively leave the army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership.

Taken together, the developments around US army secretary submits resignation amid reports of tensions with Pentagon chief point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.