President Donald Trump on Thursday named Adam Telle as the acting Army secretary following the departure of Dan Driscoll, who resigned after approximately 18 months in the role amid reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump announced the appointment via Truth Social, describing Telle as "a Great Patriot, who is respected by all." Telle currently serves as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, a position he has held since August 2025.
Telle will oversee the nation's largest fighting force at a time when the U.S. remains engaged in conflict with Iran and maintains significant Army forces stationed in the Middle East.
Before joining the Army Office of Civil Works, Telle spent approximately 20 years working in Congress for various lawmakers. From 2021 to 2025, he served as chief of staff for Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. During Trump's first term as president, Telle held a position in the White House for 18 months as a special assistant to the president for legislative affairs.
Driscoll's departure came early in the week and was part of a series of administrative changes at the Pentagon. The resignation followed months of reports detailing tensions between Driscoll and Hegseth. Driscoll had maintained a close relationship with General Randy George, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was also removed from his position as part of the broader Pentagon restructuring.