Hegseth’s war on Pentagon officials has now become a political issue

Washington. Dan Driscoll, the US Secretary of the Army, is expected to leave the Trump Administration by the end of the year, perhaps even sooner, following months of disagreements with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on his likely departure, wrote that Driscoll’s family had left the official residence reserved for the Secretary of the Army. CBS News has reported that he is said to be considering resigning. Neither Driscoll nor the Pentagon has publicly confirmed this. The tensions appear to concern both personal relations and differences over the direction the Army should take. Driscoll, a veteran of the Iraq War, a former venture capitalist and a close friend of Vice-President J.D. Vance, had gained considerable influence within the Pentagon. The White House had entrusted him with an unusually prominent role in the negotiations on Ukraine. Driscoll had presented the administration’s proposed 28-point peace plan – which had raised concerns in Kyiv and several European capitals – and had subsequently taken part in the negotiations with Ukraine.

Reportedly, relations between Driscoll and Hegseth began to deteriorate after discussions within the Administration had begun regarding Driscoll as a possible replacement for the Defence Secretary, at a time when Hegseth was grappling with various controversies. Their disagreements also extended to decisions on personnel and internal Army policies. Hegseth ordered Driscoll to remove Colonel David Butler, his chief communications adviser, after blocking his promotion for reasons that were not made public. A more significant dispute concerned General Randy George. Driscoll had repeatedly defended the Army Chief of Staff, but Hegseth forced George and two other high-ranking generals into early retirement in April. The reason for George’s removal has not been made public.

Retired three-star General Ben Hodges, former commander of the US Army in Europe, explains that Driscoll may have become frustrated by Hegseth’s interference in matters normally handled by the Army’s senior leadership. “Over the past few months, the Defence Secretary has stepped directly into the Army’s affairs and interfered with what the Army was doing,” he says. “Promotion processes and disciplinary matters are the prerogative of the Secretary of the Army. Driscoll had probably had enough of it.” George and Driscoll also wanted the Army to adapt more quickly to the lessons of the war in Ukraine, particularly with regard to low-cost drones and electronic warfare. Parts of that programme are now being reconsidered. A battalion based in Europe, set up to experiment with the use of drones and robotic systems in warfare, will return to carrying out conventional infantry duties.

Hegseth’s supporters argue that the changes are aimed at restoring traditional military readiness and ensuring that the military leadership implements the Administration’s priorities. Sean Parnell, Hegseth’s chief spokesperson and close adviser, is among those being considered to replace Driscoll. The Hill, citing a current and a former Pentagon official with knowledge of the discussions, reported that Parnell is on Hegseth’s shortlist. A former infantry captain, he commanded a platoon in Afghanistan and later became a conservative television personality. At the Pentagon, he is one of the leading advocates of Hegseth’s agenda. “Whether Driscoll was pushed out or decided to leave, his departure and his replacement fit into a pattern,” says Benjamin Friedman of Defence Priorities. “Hegseth prefers to place people loyal to him in top positions.” The timing of this development also adds to the mystery. Washington is simultaneously managing a war with Iran and supporting Ukraine against Russia, making continuity at the top of the Army particularly important. “We are at war and we still don’t have a Chief of the Army. We have an acting chief who is also the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff. Both are incredibly demanding roles,” says Hodges. “To me, this is terrible management and appalling leadership on the part of the Defence Secretary.”

The Army is the largest branch of the US Armed Forces and is responsible for land warfare, air and missile defence, logistics and support for US forces and allies abroad. The changes at the top have raised concerns that Hegseth is politicising an institution that should remain above party politics.