Driscoll Warned Trump About Hegseth's Military Leadership Purge Before Resigning

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll warned President Donald Trump that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's removal of senior military leaders could damage the Army's transformation and readiness shortly before Driscoll resigned, according to reporting by The Atlantic and other news organizations.

Then-Army Secretary Dan Driscoll testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington. [Photo: U.S. Army]

Driscoll reportedly raised his concerns directly with Trump as he prepared to leave his post.

Sources cited by The Atlantic said Driscoll warned that the removal and sidelining of senior leaders was affecting the Army's ability to maintain readiness and carry out its modernization plans.

Trump appeared surprised by the scale of the leadership changes, according to the report.

Driscoll's resignation came amid months of tension with Hegseth. Reuters reported that the relationship had deteriorated after Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and blocked or disrupted the advancement of senior Army officers.

The departure leaves the Army without a Senate-confirmed civilian secretary and with major changes underway in its senior uniformed leadership.

Driscoll had been a prominent advocate of Army modernization, including greater use of drones, new technologies and changes to weapons acquisition.

Driscoll's concerns also come as the United States remains engaged in military operations involving Iran.

His resignation has intensified scrutiny of the Pentagon's leadership structure and the effect of the administration's personnel changes on military readiness. The White House has continued to express confidence in Hegseth.

A White House spokesperson said President Trump has complete trust in the defense secretary, while the Pentagon has rejected suggestions that Hegseth is failing to keep the president informed.