Trump Names Adam Telle Acting Army Secretary

President Donald Trump named Adam Telle acting secretary of the Army on Thursday, filling a sudden vacancy created by the resignation of Dan Driscoll amid mounting friction inside the Pentagon. The move comes as the second Trump administration continues to cycle through senior military leaders, with several departures drawing public criticism from Republican lawmakers.

Telle, who has served as assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, assumes the role immediately. Trump described him on Truth Social as a great patriot respected by all, offering no further details on his qualifications or plans. The appointment follows Driscoll's announcement that Wednesday would be his final day, ending a tenure that sources close to the matter said was strained by disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Driscoll, a third-generation Army veteran, issued a brief public statement praising the soldiers and civilians under his former command but did not address the circumstances of his exit. His departure adds to a pattern of early retirements, resignations and firings at senior levels of the Defense Department since the start of Trump's second term.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has been among the most vocal critics of the current leadership structure. In remarks this week, Tillis called for Hegseth's removal, stating he had never seen such inept management of the men and women who serve the country. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major, entered the role with less senior government and military leadership experience than any previous defense secretary.

The leadership churn occurs against the backdrop of an extended U.S. military operation involving Iran that has already stretched for months. Questions about coordination and decision-making at the Pentagon have surfaced repeatedly in recent weeks, though administration officials have maintained that operations remain on track.

Telle's background centers on civil works projects rather than operational command or large-scale defense policy. Observers inside and outside the military have noted the unusual nature of elevating an official from that office to the acting top post, particularly at a moment when the Army faces both budgetary pressures and questions about readiness.

Democratic members of Congress have so far offered limited public comment on the specific appointment, though several have pointed to the broader turnover as evidence of instability. Republican voices remain divided, with some defending the administration's right to install its preferred team while others, like Tillis, warn that repeated changes risk undermining morale and effectiveness.

The White House has not yet indicated whether Telle will be nominated for the permanent position or how long he is expected to serve in the acting capacity. Pentagon spokespeople declined to elaborate on the reasons behind Driscoll's resignation or the selection of his replacement.

As the administration navigates ongoing military commitments and internal personnel shifts, the Army's leadership transition adds another layer of uncertainty to an institution already adjusting to multiple changes at the top.