Senate Confirms Daniel Driscoll as New Army Secretary in 66-28 Vote

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The Senate has confirmed Daniel Driscoll as the new secretary of the Army, with a vote of 66-28, putting in place another of President Donald Trump’s picks to run the Pentagon. Driscoll, 38, is a former senior adviser to Vice President JD Vance and spent four years in the Army, including a deployment to Iraq in 2009. He also completed U.S. Army Ranger school, which has provided him with combat experience. Despite not having previously served in a senior military or civilian leadership role for the Defense Department, Driscoll gained more than enough votes for confirmation, including 16 votes of approval from Democratic lawmakers.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Driscoll told lawmakers that boosting Army recruiting and “reinvigorating the defense industrial base” are his top priorities. He also vowed to be “the soldiers’ secretary of the Army, not of the generals or of the bureaucracy.” Driscoll's background in venture capital and private equity firms, as well as his experience as a cavalry officer with the 10th Mountain Division, have provided him with a unique perspective on military leadership. Driscoll has a background in venture capital and private equity firms, and he met Vance while the two were classmates at Yale Law School.

Driscoll faced only light criticism from Democratic lawmakers during the hearing, and most of it was directed at Trump policies rather than his qualifications. However, some senators expressed concern about confirming someone with a lack of experience leading a large organization amid the array of challenges facing the Army. The Army is currently spread thin across missions in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the U.S.-Mexico border, and has been struggling to provide soldiers with adequate housing and food. Despite these challenges, Driscoll's confirmation has been seen as a positive step forward for the Army, with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker stating that Driscoll will "keep the Army focused on its mission and help achieve peace through strength."

The confirmation of Driscoll as Army Secretary comes at a time when the Pentagon is working through a variety of changes and exercises, including identifying 8 percent of planned fiscal 2026 funding that can be redirected for other priorities and looming civilian cuts. Driscoll will be tasked with leading the Army through these changes, as well as addressing the ongoing issues with recruiting and retention. The Senate Armed Services Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for the president’s pick to lead the Navy, John Phelan, for Thursday. Driscoll's confirmation has been seen as a rare instance of bipartisan support, with senators from both parties praising his integrity, intelligence, and experience.

Some of the key issues that Driscoll will face as Army Secretary include: * Boosting Army recruiting and retention * Reinvigorating the defense industrial base * Addressing the ongoing issues with soldier housing and food * Leading the Army through the ongoing changes and exercises at the Pentagon * Working with other branches of the military to achieve peace through strength. Driscoll's experience and background make him a strong candidate to address these challenges, and his confirmation has been seen as a positive step forward for the Army.