Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll are locked in a public dispute over military personnel and policy authority. The tension peaked following the sudden dismissal of General Randy George, whom Hegseth fired while Driscoll was on vacation. During a congressional hearing, Driscoll openly praised the ousted general, calling him an “amazing leader” and signaling a clear rift with his boss.
The Wall Street Journal reported this, citing sources familiar with the internal dynamics at the Pentagon.
The friction began in early 2025 when Hegseth ordered Driscoll to “stay in his lane” regarding Army reform proposals. Conflicts intensified over promotion lists and Driscoll’s direct involvement in high-level White House initiatives. While the White House claims both men have the president’s confidence, the public nature of the spat raises concerns about military stability.
Unexpected role in Ukraine diplomacy
In late 2025, President Trump dispatched Dan Driscoll to assist in peace negotiations regarding Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. This assignment surprised many officials because civilian service leaders typically focus on training and equipment rather than international diplomacy. Pete Hegseth reportedly opposed this move and pressured the White House to remove Driscoll from the talks. Consequently, the administration pulled Driscoll from the mission and restricted his public appearances.
The feud also involves Hegseth’s decision to sideline or fire several senior generals linked to former military leadership. Hegseth aims to purge officers he views as obstacles to the administration’s military transformation. Driscoll repeatedly refused to strike the names of Black and female officers from promotion lists at Hegseth’s demand. Observers note that such leadership infighting occurs while the military faces unprecedented global commitments.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Trump advisers urged him to limit public statements to protect White House credibility.
