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The tense relationship between US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has become “one of Washington’s best-kept secrets,” writes the Financial Times. The cause of the conflict was said to be the political ambitions of Driscoll, who was considered a potential successor to Hegseth.
The reason for the new discussions is the appointment of Driscoll, who is negotiating with Kiev over the US settlement plan, to a key diplomatic role. As CNN reported, it was he who received an unexpected assignment from President Donald Trump – to push Ukraine into peace negotiations with Russia, despite the initial plans for the trip involving discussions on unmanned technology.
According to the FT, the source of tension was Driscoll's apparent desire to lead the military department. “He has certainly made it clear that he wants to lead the Pentagon,” a former defense official told the newspaper.
The Trump administration has discussed this possibility for several months. The 38-year-old Army secretary's close proximity to the White House and his friendship with Vice President J.D. Vance, with whom he attended Yale, only reinforced these assumptions. According to sources, Trump is sympathetic to Driscoll, is interested in his views on Ukraine and calls him a “drone expert.”
Assigning Driscoll to lead the complex Ukraine negotiations was seen by some in Washington as an admission that Hegseth's relationship with Kiev had deteriorated. CNN notes that the Defense Secretary has repeatedly suspended arms deliveries and prematurely removed Ukraine from NATO membership.
