President Donald Trump appointed Adam Telle as acting secretary of the Army on Thursday, effective immediately. Telle succeeds Dan Driscoll, who resigned earlier this week after reported disagreements with War Secretary Pete Hegseth over Army transformation and readiness. The appointment places an experienced congressional and administration official at the top of the nation’s largest military branch while the administration addresses stalled Army nominations in the Senate.
Telle currently serves as assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, overseeing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ civilian infrastructure program. His background in Senate leadership and White House legislative affairs could help the administration manage congressional relationships during the leadership transition.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Trump’s immediate appointment of Telle |
| 2) | Telle’s Army and congressional background |
| 3) | The leadership vacancy and Senate priorities |
| 4) | Driscoll’s resignation and policy tensions |
| 5) | The transition’s significance for Army modernization |
Trump’s immediate appointment of Telle
Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Adam Telle would become acting secretary of the Army effective immediately. The announcement followed Dan Driscoll’s resignation from the post earlier in the week and was intended to fill a critical leadership vacancy without waiting for a permanent nomination and Senate confirmation.
Trump described Telle as a respected patriot in the announcement. The acting appointment gives Telle responsibility for leading the Army, including its personnel, training, equipment and readiness priorities, during a period of organizational change and heightened demands on the military.
Telle’s Army and congressional background
Telle has served as assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works since being nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate in 2025. In that role, he oversees the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works program, which includes flood and storm protection, commercial waterways and permitting under the Clean Water Act.
Before joining the Army, Telle served as chief of staff to Sen. Bill Hagerty, Republican of Tennessee. During Trump’s first administration, he was the president’s chief liaison to the Senate and led the Senate team at the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. He also worked on the Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security budget and spent a decade in the office of former Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi.
The leadership vacancy and Senate priorities
The appointment puts Telle in charge of the Army while the administration works to advance nominees whose confirmations have stalled in the Senate. His established relationships on Capitol Hill may be useful as officials seek congressional support for Army leadership and broader defense priorities.
The Army is the largest branch of the U.S. military, making the secretary’s position central to decisions about force structure, readiness, recruitment, training and modernization. As acting secretary, Telle will oversee the department while the administration determines its longer-term leadership plans.
Driscoll’s resignation and policy tensions
Driscoll said Wednesday would be his last full day as Army secretary. His departure followed reported clashes with Pete Hegseth over the Army’s transformation and readiness efforts, including Driscoll’s reported view that Hegseth had obstructed aspects of that work.
“I had the privilege of working with them to modernize and accelerate how the Army mans, trains, and equips the most lethal fighting force on the face of the earth,” Driscoll said.
Driscoll also expressed gratitude to Hegseth and Trump, calling his service under them the honor of a lifetime and thanking the president for the opportunity to serve the country again.
The transition’s significance for Army modernization
Telle inherits an Army agenda focused on modernization, readiness and the speed at which the service recruits, trains and equips its force. The leadership change comes as the administration continues to shape its defense strategy and evaluates how the Army should adapt its capabilities and organization.
His immediate task is to maintain continuity at the department while working with civilian and military leaders, the White House and Congress. His prior Senate and administration experience gives him a foundation for navigating the political and administrative demands of the acting position, although the article does not identify a timeline for selecting a permanent secretary.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Telle became acting secretary of the Army effective immediately on Thursday. |
| 2 | Telle previously led the Army’s Civil Works program and was confirmed by the Senate in 2025. |
| 3 | Dan Driscoll resigned after reported disagreements over Army transformation and readiness. |
| 4 | Telle’s Senate relationships may assist with stalled Army nominations. |
Summary
Adam Telle’s appointment provides immediate leadership for the Army following Dan Driscoll’s resignation. The change places a Senate-experienced official in charge as the administration works through confirmation delays and policy disagreements involving modernization and readiness. Telle’s performance will be closely tied to maintaining continuity while the Army’s permanent leadership structure is determined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is serving as acting secretary of the Army?
Adam Telle, the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, is serving as acting secretary effective immediately.
Why did Dan Driscoll leave the position?
Driscoll resigned after reported clashes with War Secretary Pete Hegseth over Army transformation and readiness efforts.
What experience does Telle bring to the role?
Telle oversees the Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works program and previously held senior roles in the Senate and the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.
