US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has reportedly resigned following a meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday, amid deepening friction with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over military leadership decisions during the ongoing US-Iran war. The White House has not confirmed the resignation, according to media reports citing officials.

What Led to the Resignation

Driscoll is reported to have clashed repeatedly with Hegseth over the Army's modernisation agenda, the dismissal of several senior officers, and the blocking of promotions for others. He reportedly raised his concerns directly with President Trump, making the friction between the two officials a matter of presidential attention. His departure had, according to reports, been anticipated for some time.

A Leadership Vacuum at a Critical Moment

Driscoll's exit deepens an already severe command crisis within the US Army. The service is now without both its civilian head and a permanent military chief, following the earlier firing of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George. Army Vice Chief of Staff General James Mingus was fired last October, and General Christopher LaNeve, nominated as his successor, has yet to receive Senate confirmation — a constitutional requirement for senior military appointments. Hegseth has also fired three other generals who were potential successors to George, further widening the vacuum.

The Broader Iran War Context

Driscoll is the second senior civilian military official to exit during the Iran conflict. Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired in April. Both Hegseth and Trump had predicted the war would conclude within weeks; six months on, the military remains engaged. While US ground troops have not entered a direct land war with Iran, they are providing critical defence against Iranian missiles and drones in the Gulf region, and some soldiers have died in attacks on bases there, according to reports.

Who Driscoll Is and Who May Succeed Him

Driscoll, a combat veteran who served in Iraq as an Army Lieutenant, later attended Yale Law School, where he was a classmate and close friend of Vice President J.D. Vance. He had been considered a possible successor to Hegseth himself. Media reports have speculated that Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell — who is close to Hegseth and has restricted media access to the military — could be named as Driscoll's replacement.

Pattern of Civilian-Military Tensions

Under Hegseth's tenure, a pattern of targeted dismissals has emerged. African American officers, beginning with Joint Chiefs of Staff General C.Q. Brown, and women officers have reportedly been disproportionately affected. Hegseth has also moved against officers perceived as close to leaders he was not aligned with, including Europe and Africa Commander General Christopher Donahue, who played a significant role in supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Driscoll's opposition to many of these firings and promotion blocks is reported to have been the central fault line in his relationship with Hegseth. How the Army fills its multiple leadership gaps — and whether the Senate moves on pending nominations — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.