National Defense

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

Official White House Photo by Patrick B. Ruddy

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.

“The Senate confirmed him as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works in August 2025,” U.S. Army spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump’s decision bypassed Army Undersecretary Michael Obadal, the service’s second-highest-ranking civilian official, who would ordinarily take over the top job.

Normally, the Army undersecretary would be first in line to take over, followed by the assistant secretaries, the Army general counsel and then the chief of staff, according to federal law.

Driscoll announced that Wednesday would be his final full day as Army secretary after roughly 18 months in the role, according to a statement posted on X. Driscoll said he had worked to “modernize and accelerate” how the Army mans, trains and equips its forces and credited Hegseth with supporting that effort.

Hegseth quickly praised Trump’s selection of Telle, calling him “strong and whip smart” and saying he “will be an immediate asset” to the Army, according to a post on X.

Before joining the Pentagon, Telle served as chief of staff to Republican Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty and previously worked for the Senate Appropriations Committee and former Republican Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran.

Telle also served on the White House legislative affairs team during Trump’s first administration.

It remains unclear whom Trump will nominate to lead the Army permanently.