Democrats warn of ‘hollowed out’ leadership after army chief resigns amid clashes with Hegseth

Key Points:

• Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll resigned after 18 months amid internal clashes with Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth, with no official reason given for his departure during a critical deployment of US soldiers in the Middle East.
• Senator Jack Reed criticized Hegseth for "hollowing out" the army's senior ranks, accusing him of firing and blocking promotions of dozens of senior officers, including Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, fostering a culture that punishes dissent.
• Driscoll reportedly raised concerns with President Trump about the army’s transformation and readiness, specifically Hegseth’s actions undermining efforts by removing key generals involved in modernization initiatives like drone integration.
• Since General George’s firing, the army has scaled back a drone unit championed by Driscoll and George, and Hegseth has blocked promotions of several colonels, exacerbating tensions within army leadership.
• Driscoll’s resignation follows a series of senior military and civilian departures under Hegseth’s tenure, raising concerns among lawmakers about leadership gaps and the Pentagon’s current direction.