Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll resigned Monday, handing his letter to President Trump after clashing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the firing of senior Army leaders. Driscoll's departure leaves the Army without both a civilian secretary and a chief of staff since Gen. Randy George was dismissed in April. Hegseth has since forced out at least three officers viewed as potential successors.

The resignation comes as the Army faces its busiest period since Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers are defending U.S. bases in the Middle East from Iranian missile attacks while the Army's Europe command supports Ukraine against Russian forces. Hegseth reportedly favors Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, as Driscoll's replacement. Parnell, a former Afghanistan officer with a strong relationship with Trump, faces likely Senate confirmation hurdles due to past controversies, including the firing of Stars and Stripes journalists and a 2021 custody case involving abuse allegations.

Driscoll, a 40-year-old former first lieutenant, was seen as a potential Hegseth successor and maintained bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Unlike Hegseth, he worked with both parties and resisted efforts to limit military communications with lawmakers. His exit deepens leadership uncertainty as the service confronts evolving drone and missile threats.