President Donald Trump’s latest nominee for the position of Army secretary, Dan Driscoll, seems likely to secure confirmation following a Senate hearing that encountered minimal opposition from Democrats.
During the session with the Senate Armed Services Committee, Driscoll managed to bypass contentious topics related to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” that have stirred discussions within the Pentagon under Trump’s administration. Notably, the term “DEI” was absent from the hearing.
Despite a background that doesn’t align with conventional qualifications for the role, Driscoll, an Iraq War veteran and financier, faced only gentle scrutiny. His reputation as a political blank slate served as a contrast to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose confirmation was overshadowed by controversies including allegations of misconduct.
When questioned about the Army’s promotion practices, Driscoll highlighted a perceived bias towards tenure over qualifications. He suggested improvements, stating, “It’s often the best woman or man for the job,” and comparing the Army’s methods to those in the private sector where promotions depend less on time in a role.
Driscoll maintained that the Army predominantly follows a merit-based system. However, some Democratic senators pointed out his apparent lack of familiarity with the Army’s operations.
“To be candid, you performed very poorly in your conversation with me,” remarked Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., referencing Driscoll’s unfamiliarity with the size of a division or the Army’s activities in Africa as discussed in a previous private meeting.
His calm demeanor during the hearing, combined with the absence of arguments that would energize the Republican base, led some defense officials to perceive Driscoll as possibly more level-headed than other Trump appointees, even as he lacks certain fundamental qualifications.
In his unsuccessful 2020 Congressional campaign in North Carolina’s 11th District, Driscoll avoided engaging with far-right rhetoric or cultural controversies, a contrast to his opponent Madison Cawthorn, whose tenure was plagued by scandals.
“He certainly isn’t a culture warrior; this might be a breath of fresh air,” a senior Pentagon official commented to Military.com anonymously, noting Driscoll’s limited understanding of the Army.
Defense Secretary Hegseth has focused on opposing diversity measures in the Pentagon, erroneously claiming the existence of “quotas” in promotions. The Army, however, strives to conceal race during senior officer promotions, and no military policies enforce demographic quotas.
Driscoll enters the role with scant experience in national security, having served under four years as a cavalry officer, including an Iraq deployment with the 10th Mountain Division. His post-military career includes Yale Law School, where he was a classmate of Vice President J.D. Vance, and subsequent work in venture capital and a medical staffing board.
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