WSJ Says Tensions Are Rising Between Hegseth and Driscoll
The Wall Street Journal reports growing tensions between Pete Hegseth and Dan Driscoll over army reform, staffing disputes and the Ukraine mission.
According to The Wall Street Journal, tensions between Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll have been intensifying.
The newspaper reported that the first serious clash came shortly after Driscoll arrived at the Pentagon in early 2025. At the time, he proposed arranging a visit by US President Donald Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance to meet with military personnel and discuss army reform. Hegseth, however, sharply shut the idea down and made it clear that major decisions inside the department were his alone.
The paper said the confrontation only deepened after that. One source of friction was a series of personnel disputes inside the army, including the dismissal of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George and disagreements over officers put forward for promotion.
According to the report, the standoff worsened even further after Trump sent Driscoll to Ukraine to assist with negotiations. Inside the Pentagon, that decision reportedly raised questions over why the mission had gone to the Army secretary rather than to Hegseth himself.
At the same time, the White House has said the president is satisfied with the work of both officials.