Trump Bypasses Army’s No. 2 Civilian In Surprise Leadership Shakeup

September 04, 2026 1:19 PM ET President Donald Trump tapped Adam Telle to serve as acting Army secretary Thursday, bypassing the service’s No. 2 civilian official after former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned amid reported tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.Telle had been serving as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works before Trump elevated him to the service’s top civilian position effective immediately. The unusual appointment places a longtime Republican Senate aide and former Trump White House official atop the Army while the administration considers a permanent successor.“I am pleased to announce that Adam Telle, the current Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will become Acting Secretary of the Army, effective immediately,” Trump said in a Tr