US defence chief tightens grip on Pentagon as army secretary resigns

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has further consolidated his control over the Pentagon following the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, whose departure comes amid months of disagreements over senior military appointments and the future direction of the Army, The Economist reports.

The report said Driscoll submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump on August 31 after clashes with Hegseth over the removal of senior Army officers and efforts to reshape the force.

Widely respected within the Army and regarded as a reform-minded official, Driscoll's departure has raised fresh questions about the Pentagon's internal turmoil and the future of reforms aimed at adapting the Army to modern warfare, particularly drone technology.

Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed by the Senate despite allegations concerning financial mismanagement in previous jobs and heavy drinking, has faced several controversies since taking office. Nevertheless, he has strengthened his influence over the Defence Department and military leadership, while a series of personnel changes has removed senior officers seen as rivals or insufficiently loyal to him.

Since becoming defence secretary, Hegseth has removed at least 24 flag or general officers. In April, he dismissed General Randy George, the Army's most senior officer. Two months later, four-star General Chris Donahue, who commanded US Army Europe and Africa, was forced into retirement after Hegseth downgraded his command.

The Army currently has no Senate-confirmed chief of staff, secretary or commander of forces in Europe, while Driscoll's deputy is also reportedly considering leaving.

Driscoll attempted to resist some of the personnel changes. “He prevented a number of officers from being fired or blocked,” a senior congressional aide said.

However, Hegseth's recent removal of seven Army officers from a list of 18 approved for promotion to two-star general is believed to have been the final factor behind Driscoll's resignation.

Driscoll's departure comes at a critical moment for the Army. A former Yale classmate and confidant of Vice President J.D. Vance, he was reportedly a moderating influence on Hegseth's more hawkish views on Iran. He appealed personally to Trump days before resigning amid concerns within the Pentagon over the strain the ongoing war in Iran is placing on US forces.

The personnel changes have also affected the Army's modernisation efforts. Driscoll played a prominent role in the Pentagon's drone procurement initiatives, earning him Trump's nickname “drone guy.”

He visited Ukraine last November, where he discussed battlefield developments with Ukrainian commanders and launched a technology partnership with the country's drone specialists. His growing profile reportedly caused friction with Hegseth, who has sought to distance the Pentagon from initiatives associated with Driscoll and his allies.

A new Army battalion established in January by General George to develop expertise in drone warfare is already being phased out under General Christopher LaNeve, the acting Army chief of staff and an ally of Hegseth.

LaNeve has promoted what he calls a “back-to-basics” approach that still involves acquiring new technologies but places greater emphasis on priorities associated with the Trump administration. He has overseen reductions in Army units stationed in Europe and shifted greater attention toward the Western Hemisphere.

Driscoll had also clashed with LaNeve over efforts to revise the Army's physical-fitness standards, a long-standing priority of Hegseth's.

Hegseth is expected to further consolidate his influence over the Pentagon. Sean Parnell, the department's spokesperson, has increasingly been mentioned as a possible replacement for Driscoll.

Like Hegseth, Parnell has been outspoken on cultural issues and could face a difficult Senate confirmation because of his limited experience managing a large bureaucracy. He could nevertheless serve in an acting capacity.

The changes have left the Pentagon increasingly shaped by Hegseth's approach and priorities.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov