Hegseth Tightens Grip as Army Modernization Battle Reshapes Pentagon

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after clashing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over modernizing the force, with Hegseth and acting Army Chief Gen. LaNeve pushing a focus on grooming, culture and appearance that undercut Driscoll’s tech-forward, leaner-force agenda. The White House backs Hegseth, framing his leadership as aligned with Trump-era priorities, while key modernization programs (AI adoption, private capital in the industrial base, counter-drone efforts) face uncertain futures as leadership changes and Senate confirmations loom and budget timing complicates replacements.