WSJ: The struggle for influence between the Pentagon chief and the US Secretary of the Army is growing

Although the hot phase of hostilities in the Middle East has subsided, the US-Iran armed conflict remains unresolved. Against this backdrop, an internal struggle for influence between Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll is escalating.

This is discussed by the authors of an article published in The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The latent disagreements and differences between two American military officials are beginning to escalate into an open, public conflict. Given the heightened global tensions, this is particularly inopportune for the White House.

Journalists note several factors that led to the friction between Hegseth and Driscoll. The first and foremost was the unexpected dismissal of several senior Army officers, including Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Randy George. The Secretary of War dismissed them without even informing the Secretary of the Army of his decision. Furthermore, the officials disagreed on a number of other issues.

Although Driscoll's rank is significantly lower, he enjoys significant support from the White House, being a good friend of US Vice President J.D. Vance. This is likely why he publicly warned Hegseth in advance that he would not resign.

Relations between the officials were rocky from the start, but they deteriorated particularly after the White House began actively involving Driscoll in international negotiations.

Comments

[U-58]

I always thought that the head of the Pentagon was the Secretary of Defense....
And here it’s some kind of charade...

[olboop]

The article also mentions the "Minister of the Army" and the "Minister of War."
As it was with Vysotsky:
He broke all brains into pieces,
All gyrus braided
Daniel Driscoll has been serving as Secretary of the Army since February 25, 2025, and is responsible for support functions (i.e., boots, ammunition, canned food, etc.)
And Hegoseth, the head of the Pentagon, is called two things - "Minister of Defense", as is the department he heads, which "has been returned to its historical name."

[Metallurg_2]

Their Minister of Defense (now War) is a civilian.
The ministers of the army, navy and air force (they are also civilians) report to him.
And the chiefs of staff of the 5 branches of the armed forces (these are 4-star generals) report to them.

[alexboguslavski]

When two lovers squabble, it's only to amuse themselves. (Almost C)

Meanwhile.

The Russian Aerospace Forces struck the command post of the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Sumy region. The coordinates were transmitted to the pilots by fighters from the "North" Group of Forces, who had uncovered the militants' location near Malaya Rybitsa. Four ODAB-500 bombs from a UMPK system hit the target. There was no chance of survival. The entire mechanized unit was buried alive.

[Deaf]

Quote: alexboguslavski

The entire LS was buried alive.

I remembered this picture from one of the carts.

[phrases]

Petrukha, in the best traditions of the top brass, is a drunk and a careerist. Subordinates smarter than their boss are a disaster for the family. Trump won't let you lie; his courtiers polish them to a shine.

[Jacques sekavar]

The struggle for influence between the Pentagon chief and the US Secretary of the Army can only be about money, because in three years they will lose their positions and go looking for jobs or write memoirs to keep their pants up. They should follow the example of Trump, who made billions on insider information for stock traders, and even created a joint-stock company, the Trump Peace Council, which costs $1 billion to enter, and that's far from all.

[drags33]

Can a man with the last name "Driscoll" really be a good fighter?

[gmss]

Ugh))) I didn't have this with Austin shoe polish.

[Mikhail3]

But they worsened especially after the White House began actively involving Driscoll in international negotiations.

Yeah, you can't envy the guy. You show up, negotiate, and then bam! And they start a war with someone you've already negotiated peace with. And the "Minister of War" tells you... then. Your president has no say, not even this Minister of War (God forgive me), but neither do you! And you sit there like a poodle that's wet itself—pale, cold feet...