Trump Bypasses Army’s No. 2 Civilian In Surprise Leadership Shakeup

President Donald Trump tapped Adam Telle to serve as acting Army secretary Thursday, bypassing the service’s No. 2 civilian official after former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned amid reported tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Telle had been serving as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works before Trump elevated him to the service’s top civilian position effective immediately. The unusual appointment places a longtime Republican Senate aide and former Trump White House official atop the Army while the administration considers a permanent successor.

“I am pleased to announce that Adam Telle, the current Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will become Acting Secretary of the Army, effective immediately,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Thursday. “He is a Great Patriot, who is respected by all. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump urged Driscoll to consider staying in the job through the midterm elections after the Army secretary told him he planned to resign, The Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with the meeting. Driscoll also raised concerns with Trump about what he viewed as damage Hegseth was doing to the Army, according to the outlet.

Driscoll had repeatedly clashed with Hegseth over the removal of senior Army officers, stalled promotions and changes to modernization initiatives, The Post reported, citing people familiar with the relationship.

“The premise that the Department is in disarray is completely baseless and an insult to every dedicated professional and warfighter in this building,” The Post reported, citing Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. “This is what reform looks like.”

Driscoll had also previously been viewed as a potential replacement for Hegseth after the defense secretary’s early tenure raised concerns among some senior officials close to Trump, The Post reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Driscoll’s exit follows several other high-profile departures under Hegseth, including former Navy Secretary John Phelan and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.

The Pentagon referred to the Army. The White House referred to Trump’s Truth Social post.