Lawmakers worry about Army leadership void after Driscoll exit
Defense-focused lawmakers expressed concern over the Army's lack of top civilian and military leaders following Secretary Dan Driscoll's resignation. Driscoll resigned after reported clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over personnel changes. The Army now has no Senate-confirmed secretary or chief of staff.
Driscoll's departure follows months of friction with Hegseth, who had already removed Gen. Randy George as Army chief of staff in April and blocked promotions of numerous senior officers. The vacancies come during an active conflict with Iran and as the Pentagon seeks congressional approval for a $1.5 trillion defense budget.
Lawmakers from both parties noted Driscoll's bipartisan credibility, citing his work modernizing Army structure and equipment. His close ties to Vice President Vance and his role leading Russia-Ukraine negotiations had elevated his standing within the administration, making his exit particularly notable given the GOP's general reluctance to criticize the president's team.
The simultaneous absence of Senate-confirmed civilian and military leadership in the Army could affect readiness and decision-making during an active war, potentially delaying procurement, personnel, and strategic priorities. Service members and their families may face uncertainty about command direction, while Congress faces pressure to confirm replacements quickly. The situation may also signal broader instability at the Pentagon that could influence public confidence in defense institutions and complicate bipartisan support for the massive proposed defense budget.