Key facts
- President Donald Trump appointed Adam Telle as acting US Army Secretary.
- Adam Telle previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
- The appointment follows the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
- Reports indicate tensions between Driscoll and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
- Telle has extensive experience in government, including time in the White House and working for senators.
President Donald Trump appointed Adam Telle as the acting US Army Secretary on Thursday, replacing Dan Driscoll. Telle, who currently serves as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, has a background in government, including over 20 years working for Republican senators and a stint in the White House during Trump's first term.
Trump praised Telle on Truth Social, calling him a "Great Patriot, who is respected by all," a sentiment echoed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who described Telle as "strong and very smart" and an "immediate asset" to the Army.
Driscoll's departure comes amid reports of tensions with Hegseth. While Driscoll did not provide a specific reason for his resignation, sources suggest disagreements between the two officials. This follows the removal of some of Driscoll's allies within the Army earlier this year, including his top uniformed leader, General Randy George.
Telle's previous roles include serving as chief of staff for Senator Bill Hagerty and working on the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on National Security. In his most recent position, he focused on commercial navigation, flood damage reduction, and Clean Water Act permits.
Driscoll, an Army veteran, had served as Army Secretary for 18 months and was reportedly friends with Vice President JD Vance. His exit has drawn criticism from some Democrats and Republicans, with Senator Thom Tillis stating that Hegseth is "creating a leadership vacuum at the top of our military ranks."