US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to step down by year’s end, possibly sooner, amid months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a report Friday by The Wall Street Journal.

His departure would leave the army without a Senate-confirmed leader. Hegseth removed Gen. Randy George as army chief of staff in April without explanation, and President Donald Trump has yet to name a successor. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the army vice chief and former senior military aide to Hegseth, is serving in the role on an acting basis.

Driscoll and his family moved out earlier this summer from his government residence designated for the army secretary at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, said the report.

During his 18 months as secretary, Driscoll developed a close partnership with George, and the two promoted the adoption of new technology as central to future warfare. They also traveled to Ukraine with Gen. Chris Donahue, the army’s former top general in Europe, where Driscoll discussed peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Driscoll urged the army to emulate Ukraine’s use of commercial technology on the battlefield. During his tenure, private companies pledged more than $25 billion for data centers, critical-mineral refineries and dining facilities on army bases nationwide, according to the report.

After Hegseth fired George in April and replaced him with LaNeve, the decision drew criticism from congressional Republicans and praise for Driscoll.

“I, too, love Gen. George,” Driscoll told lawmakers at a hearing, describing him as “an amazing, transformation leader.”

Driscoll, a former Army Ranger, also received praise from Trump at a defense conference in the state of Pennsylvania last month. (AA)

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