Army secretary Dan Driscoll resigns amid clashes with leadership; tied to ongoing drone, defense tech and budget conversations shaping U.S. military strategy.
Trump is rallying defense leaders and investors in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to spotlight a robust defense budget and U.S. industrial ties amid concerns over war funding, inflation, and a volatile security landscape. The event features top defense officials and corporate leaders as Republicans push for greater investment while critics warn of deficits.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Senate Appropriations Committee the US-Israel war on Iran has cost $37.5bn so far and that the Pentagon needs an $87bn supplemental request, including about $67bn for the Iran campaign. Lawmakers have challenged the figures, criticised shifting rationales for the conflict and warned funding gaps will force cuts to training and readiness.
The Army’s Janus program has selected five companies to develop microreactors, aiming to deliver reliable baseload power to installations and spur civilian adoption. Antares Nuclear leads the first deployment at Fort Bragg, with projects across Fort Drum and other sites; approvals and regulatory steps are being aligned to support rapid deployment.
Dan Driscoll has resigned as U.S. secretary of the Army after 18 months in the role. His exit has followed months of reported clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over personnel and modernization, and it leaves the Army with reduced civilian leadership as the United States remains engaged in the war with Iran.
The acting Navy secretary has been nominated by the president to a permanent post as U.S. forces confront intensified strikes with Iran. The Lincoln has spent nine months at sea, while domestic political shifts accompany the military movements.
Lawmakers have urged the Army to brief departing leaders on why a specialized drone unit within the 173rd Airborne Brigade is being eliminated, arguing the move could hinder modernization and lessons learned from allies like Ukraine. The request follows leadership shifts and ongoing debates over how drones are integrated into Army doctrine.