President Donald Trump named Adam Telle acting Army secretary Thursday, after Dan Driscoll announced his resignation amid tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Telle currently serves as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. Trump announced his new role in a Truth Social post, calling him a “Great Patriot who is respected by all.”
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Hegseth also praised the appointment on X.
“Huge congrats to Adam,” Hegseth wrote. “Strong and whip smart. He is indeed a great Patriot — and will be an immediate asset to the U.S. Army.”
Telle’s previous roles
Trump nominated Telle in 2025 to serve as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, a role overseeing policy for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works program.
Before that, he served as chief of staff to Sen. Bill Haggerty, R-Tenn., according to a U.S. Army bio.
Haggerty congratulated Telle on his new role, saying, “This is a critical position for our nation’s defense, and I can’t imagine a better leader for the world’s greatest warriors.”
Telle also spent 18 months working in the White House during Trump’s first term, serving as the president’s chief liaison to the Senate.
He led the Senate team in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs and previously served as the top staff member on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security’s budget.
Before the White House, he spent 10 years in Sen. Thad Cochran’s office, where he served as deputy chief of staff, legislative director and top national security staffer.
Telle is a native of Northport, Alabama, and holds degrees in computer science and communication from Mississippi State University, where he served as student body president.
He is married and has two children.
Telle takes over the Army
Telle takes over as the U.S. remains engaged in the conflict with Iran and maintains a large military presence across the Middle East.
He replaces Driscoll, who had served as the Army’s top civilian leader since his Senate confirmation in February 2025. Driscoll also participated in U.S. efforts to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Driscoll’s departure follows the removal of several of his allies from senior Army roles, including former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
As acting secretary, Telle becomes the Army’s top civilian official, overseeing its personnel, policies, programs and budget.