Tensions at the Pentagon After Driscoll’s Resignation: Hegseth Faces Departures of Generals and Accusations of Blocking Drone Programs as Trump Defends Him

Dan Driscoll, the US Army’s highest-ranking civilian official, has resigned after months of clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, deepening the turmoil within the Pentagon.

The Financial Times reported that Driscoll submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump on Monday and is expected to formally leave office on Wednesday. According to a person familiar with his views, Driscoll believed Hegseth’s interventions were causing “generational damage” to the US Army.

“It is a revealing moment, and I think it shows that the Pentagon is in disarray,” said Tom Wright, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

One of the issues that worsened relations between the two officials was the removal of General Randy George from his post as Army Chief of Staff in April.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, Hegseth has fired or pushed out several generals and admirals as part of a sweeping restructuring of the military leadership.

Following Driscoll’s departure, the US Army no longer has either a permanent civilian leader or a permanent commander. Both positions require Senate confirmation.

This situation creates a leadership vacuum at a sensitive time. The Army plays a key role in missile defense through the Patriot and THAAD systems, while thousands of US troops continue to be deployed for extended periods in the Middle East.

Christopher Meger, a former senior Pentagon official during the Biden administration, said Driscoll was among the few senior civilian officials who had the trust of the troops and who “did a truly satisfactory job.”

The clashes between Hegseth and Driscoll also extended into the field of military technology. Driscoll was one of the leading figures in projects to produce lower-cost drones, develop counter-drone capabilities and create new missile defense systems.

A source familiar with Driscoll’s position said he believed Hegseth was obstructing modernization for personal reasons.

Under Driscoll’s leadership, an infantry battalion had been tasked with developing and coordinating new drone capabilities. Hegseth later ordered the unit to be disbanded.

Driscoll had also been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Hegseth if Trump decided to dismiss the defense secretary.

His departure has also prompted reactions from Republicans. Senator Mike Rounds said he was “disappointed” by Driscoll’s resignation.

“Where is the leadership? We had some very good generals who are no longer there and whom we respected,” Rounds said.

Hegseth has appointed Lieutenant General Christopher LaNeve as acting Army commander and is seeking to make the appointment permanent. However, some Republican senators have suggested that his confirmation could face difficulties because of dissatisfaction over the way General George was dismissed.

Driscoll’s resignation could also complicate the Pentagon’s efforts to secure approval for a $1.5 trillion budget, as well as additional funding for the war with Iran.

The pressure is not limited to the Army. The US Navy is simultaneously facing major operational and financial difficulties. Operations stretching from the Caribbean to Iran have increased the deployment of warships and depleted missile stockpiles.

Navy Secretary John Phelan was dismissed in April, and Trump appointed Hung Kao to replace him as acting secretary.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen directly called on Hegseth to resign, linking her demand to the handling of military operations in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

Despite criticism from the Pentagon and Congress, Donald Trump continues to publicly support Pete Hegseth.

When asked whether Hegseth might run for the White House in 2028, Trump spoke positively about him.

“He has done an excellent job,” the US president said, adding that Hegseth is now focused on the Army.

Democratic Senator Elisha Slotkin accused Hegseth of acting for an “audience of one,” Donald Trump. According to Slotkin, anyone who disagrees with the secretary or makes him look weak ends up being removed from office.

In his resignation statement, Driscoll did not publicly criticize Hegseth. He thanked the administration and said he had had the “privilege” of working to modernize the Army. Driscoll added that the progress achieved would not have been possible “without the support of Secretary Hegseth.”