Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll found himself in a new role just a few days after his appointment, when tensions flared between him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to people familiar with the situation, Driscoll proposed inviting Vance and President Donald Trump to visit the Pentagon – an event that could lift morale among the troops through the ceremony and symbolism of presidential visits. According to two sources, Trump expressed interest in the idea.
However Hegseth viewed such steps as signs of insubordination: Trump was his direct boss, and Driscoll should not bypass the leader or put him in an awkward position. Driscoll denied that his intentions carried such implications, and both kept a businesslike and courteous tone in their communication.
According to several current and former officials, Hegseth focuses on maintaining his image and on trying to disregard or remove anyone he sees as a threat to his image and his stance toward Trump – regardless of the opponent’s experience.
“If Driscoll becomes too prominent, or too politically favored, it would significantly ease the task of removing Hegseth or finding a way out.”
Tactics, politics, and impact on the team
Discussions about the duration of Hegseth’s tenure began practically from the start of his time in office. Rumors about a possible replacement circulated, including about Driscoll, as a potential successor in the wake of a string of public missteps in the spring that irritated Hegseth.
Hegseth has taken decisive action. In April, after a series of leaks, he fired three senior Pentagon officials, noting that two of them were close friends who had long worked with him. At the time, charges of information leakage were involved, though they could not be proven.
“It is entirely false to imply that someone in the White House has not extraordinary trust in both – Hegseth and Driscoll.”
In June, right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who, according to CNN sources, has long supported Hegseth, began publicly accusing Driscoll of “leniency toward those who hate Trump” through a jointly published post with retired military officer Eugene Vindman. In response, Loomer circulated similar materials, after which Hegseth’s spokesperson, Kingsley Wilson, publicly defended the army secretary, noting that Hegseth values Loomer’s work and her contribution.
After this controversy, the relationship between Driscoll and Hegseth remains tense, though recently they have spent more time together off duty. According to sources, Hegseth himself is not inclined to openly destroy opponents within his circle, but fears leaks and malicious attempts to derail his policy.
“We are restoring the strength and readiness of the Department of War, and my support for Driscoll has been and remains unwavering.”
In response to the controversy, White House officials say they do not feel any dissatisfaction with respect to Hegseth and Driscoll, emphasizing their confidence in their cooperation and joint efforts to strengthen the U.S. Army.
Meanwhile Hegseth is increasing PR staff and tightening control over the information flow to manage narratives on social media and minimize leakage risks. This, officials say, means focusing more on external effects and communication strategies than on the technical aspects of defense policy.
Despite Trump’s support, for Driscoll the possibility of becoming Hegseth’s successor is still being considered as an option. Since Driscoll is an official employee, his appointment would require Senate approval – a fact that underscores the political sensitivity of this process.
In sum, the clash between the drive for a public image and real managerial duties underscores the complexity of Hegseth’s role as the head of defense policy. It will be important to monitor how the relationship develops between the two top officials and whether they can reach a compromise for the benefit of a combat-ready U.S. Army.
CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.
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