Adam Telle Appointed Acting Army Secretary After Driscoll’s Resignation

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Adam Telle, currently the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will serve as acting Army Secretary. The appointment comes shortly after Dan Driscoll resigned from the position earlier this week, a move reported to stem from tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In a Truth Social post, Trump described Telle as “a Great Patriot, who is respected by all” and confirmed the leadership change would take effect immediately.

Defense Secretary Hegseth also endorsed the appointment, praising Telle as “strong and whip smart.” He wrote on X, “Huge congrats to Adam… He is indeed a great Patriot — and will be an immediate asset to the @USArmy.”

Telle was sworn into his current role last August, becoming the second official nominated by Trump for an Army position to receive Senate confirmation during his second term. His biography on the U.S. military’s website indicates he holds principal authority over policy and supervision for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency manages critical infrastructure, including dams, and focuses on projects designed to mitigate flood and storm damage.

Prior to his Trump administration role, Telle served as chief of staff to Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee from 2021 to 2025. He also spent approximately a decade from 2007 to 2017 working for former Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, holding positions such as deputy chief of staff and legislative director. During his time in Cochran’s office, he assisted with recovery efforts related to Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, he served on the Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security’s budget.

Telle’s experience in government relations dates back to Trump’s first term, where he served on the White House Office of Legislative Affairs’ Senate team as the president’s chief liaison to the Senate.

Telle assumes command during a period of significant instability within the Department of Defense. Since Hegseth took office, approximately 20 military and civilian leaders have either resigned or been ousted. This shakeup includes Driscoll’s departure and has drawn criticism from some Republicans, including Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who has urged Trump to replace the Defense Secretary.

“[Hegseth] is creating a leadership void at the top of our military ranks,” Tillis posted on social media this week. “I urge the President to find a new leader at the Pentagon who will retain and empower our military talent rather than diminish it.”

The new acting secretary also faces external pressures, including the ongoing war in Iran, which began on February 28 and has extended beyond six months, sparking domestic backlash.