Army Secretary Dan Driscoll plans to step down by the end of 2026, following months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. His departure would leave the Army without a Senate-confirmed leader.

The Wall Street Journal reported the development on Friday, citing sources. In April, Driscoll denied any plans to resign, stating he remained focused on Army readiness. His family relocated to North Carolina this summer, and he moved into a smaller on-base apartment.

Leadership Vacuum Looms

Driscoll’s potential exit follows significant leadership changes within the Pentagon. In April, Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, a trusted ally of Driscoll, without explanation. Gen. Christopher LaNeVe is currently serving as acting chief of staff. President Donald Trump has not named a successor for Driscoll.

Congressional unease over these changes is growing. In June, the House Armed Services Committee advanced a bipartisan measure requiring the Pentagon to justify senior officer firings. This reflects scrutiny of Hegseth’s roughly two dozen leadership shake-ups this year.

Hegseth’s consolidation of authority extends beyond the Army. He removed Navy Secretary John Phelan in April after Phelan complained to Congress about being sidelined on shipbuilding decisions.

Modernization Push

During his tenure, Driscoll partnered with Gen. George to push battlefield technology adoption, drawing lessons from Ukraine. Key initiatives included military modernization, drone integration, and electronic warfare.

Private firms pledged more than $25 billion for data centers, mineral refineries, and dining facilities on Army bases under his leadership. Last month, Trump praised Driscoll at a Pennsylvania defense conference.

What the Numbers Show

The $25 billion in private pledges represents a significant capital injection into Army infrastructure during a period of intense leadership turnover. This financial commitment contrasts with the operational instability caused by the firing of key allies like Gen. George and the impending departure of the Army Secretary.