WASHINGTON, Aug 31 : US Military Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to the White Home following months of rigidity with Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, a supply conversant in the matter advised Reuters.
Driscoll, who officers stated is near US Vice President JD Vance, turns into the newest senior official who has both been fired or pushed out in Hegseth’s Pentagon. It additionally comes as the US remains to be engaged in a warfare with Iran, with 1000’s of US Military troopers deployed within the Center East.
It was unclear if the White Home had accepted his resignation.
“Driscoll introduced up considerations with the administration surrounding Military transformation and readiness and Hegseth’s blocking these efforts particularly by firing the generals who had been accountable,” the supply stated, referring to his efforts to modernize the Military.
The Military declined to touch upon the information, which was first reported by the Wall Road Journal.
“Secretary Driscoll has been extremely efficient in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Robust Once more on the Division of the Military by offering excellent management throughout historic army operations, restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, aiding with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and extra,” White Home spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated in an announcement.
BREWING FRUSTRATION WITH HEGSETH
Driscoll, who was confirmed for the highest Military place in February 2025, pushed the Military to be extra nimble in buying cheaper weapons and chastised giant weapons makers. The Military Secretary is accountable for coaching and equipping troopers.
“(The) protection industrial base broadly, and the primes specifically, conned the American individuals and the Pentagon and the Military,” Driscoll stated final 12 months in a reference to giant protection corporations.
One US official, talking on the situation of anonymity, stated that Hegseth noticed Driscoll as a menace throughout the paperwork and had lengthy wished to take away him. However his ties to Vance, the official stated, made it powerful for Hegseth to take action.
Driscoll gained prominence outdoors the Pentagon when he was tapped by Trump to participate in talks with Moscow and Kyiv to finish the warfare in Ukraine – a uncommon diplomatic job for an Military secretary.
In April, Hegseth fired US Military Chief of Workers Randy George, a serious staffing change that got here because the US army was combating a serious warfare within the Center East.
The official stated George’s firing caught Driscoll off guard and led to elevated frustration with Hegseth.
Driscoll advised lawmakers in April that after George was fired, his household drove to the previous basic’s home and gave him a hug.
In June, Hegseth additionally pushed out the top of US Military forces in Europe and he has personally blocked the promotion of senior Military officers.
