On September 3 (Washington time), according to Xinhua news agency, US President Donald Trump chose Mr. Adam Telle as Acting Secretary of the Army after Mr. Dan Driscoll resigned. But this decision attracted attention when he ignored the official who is often considered a temporary successor in case this position is vacant.
Mr. Trump announced on the social network Truth Social that Mr. Adam Telle - Assistant Secretary of the Army in charge of civil works - will become Acting Secretary of the Army, effective immediately.
Mr. Telle is currently a civil official of the US Army and has been approved by the Senate for the position of Assistant Minister of the Army in charge of civil works.
The noteworthy point lies in the person that Mr. Trump did not choose.
According to sources, Mr. Trump ignored Army Deputy Secretary Michael Obadal to put Mr. Telle in the position of acting minister. In cases where the position of Army Secretary is vacant, Deputy Secretary Thuong is the person who takes on the interim role.
Mr. Telle is a relatively new face at the Pentagon. He was newly approved by the Senate in August 2025 and spent most of his time as Assistant Secretary of the Army in charge of civil affairs. Prior to that, he had worked in the US Congress for more than 20 years and served as the White House's liaison officer with the Senate during Mr. Trump's first term.
Mr. Telle is said to have a good relationship with War Minister Pete Hegseth. His selection took place shortly after Mr. Dan Driscoll resigned amidst information about months of disagreement with Mr. Hegseth.
Mr. Driscoll submitted his resignation after about 18 months in office as Minister of the Army.
Mr. Driscoll resigned while the US Army was undergoing many senior personnel changes. Previously, General Randy George also left the position of Chief of Staff of the Army and was temporarily replaced by General Christopher LaNeve.
President Trump's promotion of Mr. Telle to interim office is therefore not just a routine personnel change. This decision was made while the US Army lacks a civilian and military leader approved by the Senate, and this force still has to maintain military operations in the Middle East.
The US Army Secretary is a position that needs Senate approval, while acting ministers can temporarily hold the position without a new approval. President Trump's administration has not announced the time to select official Army Secretary.
