U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is considering resigning from his position by the end of the year, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News on a Saturday. The potential departure follows reports of administrative friction between Driscoll and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll, 39, has led the Army since his Senate confirmation in February 2025. Before his appointment, he served as an Army officer for four years, including a 2009 deployment to Iraq, and later worked in private equity and venture capital. The news of his possible resignation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The Pentagon directed inquiries to the Army, which has not yet provided an official comment.
The reported consideration for stepping down coincides with several leadership and policy shifts within the Department of Defense. In early April, Secretary Hegseth removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, a close associate of Driscoll, by asking him to take an early retirement. Additionally, CBS News reported earlier this week that the Army intends to phase out the Unmanned Assault Battalion, a drone unit established last year by Gen. George to apply lessons from modern warfare, such as the conflict in Ukraine.
The shift in leadership also impacts the U.S. defense industry and military modernization efforts. The reported plan to phase out the Unmanned Assault Battalion indicates a potential change in how the Army integrates drone technology and unmanned systems. This affects military contractors and specialized units that were aligned with the Army Transformation Initiative, which Driscoll and George launched to emphasize unmanned warfare. Defense analysts and contractors will be watching for whether the next appointee continues these specific technological investments or redirects funding elsewhere.
Day-to-day, Army personnel may notice changes in strategic direction or the cancellation of specific programs initiated under Driscoll's tenure. Because the Army Chief of Staff role is currently filled by Gen. Christopher LaNeve in an acting capacity, a vacancy in the Secretary position would leave the service under temporary leadership until the Senate confirms new appointees. The exact date for a potential resignation has not been set, though the sources indicated it could occur by the end of the calendar year. Following a formal announcement, the White House would be required to name a successor for Senate consideration.