U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is reportedly contemplating stepping down from his position by the end of 2026, according to two individuals familiar with the situation. This information was first disclosed by the Wall Street Journal and later confirmed by CBS News.
A spokesperson from the Pentagon directed inquiries to the Army for further comments, and CBS News has reached out to the Army for additional information.
Background on Internal Friction
Driscoll’s potential resignation comes in the wake of ongoing tensions between him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In early April, Hegseth made headlines by ousting Gen. Randy George as Army Chief of Staff, a close ally of Driscoll. Hegseth requested George to resign and take early retirement, a move that has reportedly contributed to the friction within the Army’s leadership.
Following his departure, George sent an email to Driscoll and other staff members, emphasizing the need for “courageous leaders of character” within the U.S. military.
Recent Developments in Army Operations
Adding to the backdrop of Driscoll’s consideration to resign, CBS News reported earlier this week that the Army plans to phase out the Unmanned Assault Battalion. This unit was established last year to study drone warfare tactics, particularly lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The decision to disband the battalion has been attributed to tensions between senior officers who supported the unit and Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who has been serving as the acting Army Chief of Staff since George’s exit.
Driscoll’s Tenure and Background
Driscoll, who is 39 years old, has held the position of Army Secretary since his confirmation by the Senate in February 2025. His background includes four years as an Army officer, during which he deployed to Iraq in 2009. After leaving active duty in 2011, he earned a law degree from Yale University and subsequently worked in private equity and venture capital.
Last year, Driscoll and George jointly launched the Army Transformation Initiative, which focused on the integration of unmanned systems into military operations. In a November interview on Face the Nation, Driscoll expressed the importance of learning from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating, “I don’t think I’ve talked to a single person who has said we shouldn’t be learning from what’s occurring in Ukraine.”
Future Implications
As of now, President Trump has not nominated a replacement for Gen. George, leaving uncertainty regarding the future leadership of the Army.
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