US Defense Secretary under fire over Army shake-up after Dan Driscoll resignation

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is being criticized for focusing on culture war issues, disrupting efforts to modernize the Army, according to a CNN report following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's resignation.

A source familiar with Driscoll's departure told CNN he raised concerns about Army transformation and readiness, including Hegseth's removal of generals leading modernization efforts. A former senior Army official told CNN, "When you fire these guys for arbitrary reasons, it creates confusion and a void... the Army is enduring turbulence right now."

Sources pointed to the departures of Army Chief of Staff Randy George, Gen. Christopher Donahue and Gen. David Hodne. All three had worked on adapting the Army to modern warfare, including growing battlefield reliance on drones.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell rejected the criticism, calling claims that Hegseth was not focused on modernization a "total fabrication." Driscoll also publicly praised Hegseth on Tuesday, saying the Army "could not have made the progress we did without the support of Secretary Hegseth."

However, defense expert Mike O'Hanlon told CNN that Hegseth's culture war battles were distracting from military priorities. "He's so obsessed with these false vendettas and battles," O'Hanlon said. The leadership shake-up leaves the Army facing uncertainty as it continues efforts to modernize its forces and adapt to rapidly changing battlefield technology.