WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, the service’s top civilian leader, has submitted his resignation, the White House said Monday, amid reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Driscoll for advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda and his leadership during military operations.

“Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army,” Kelly said.

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, blamed Hegseth for the departure.

“I do not welcome Secretary Driscoll’s resignation... It is far past time for President Trump to recognize the lasting harm that Pete Hegseth is inflicting on the Department of Defense,” Reed said.

Driscoll, a former Army officer who served in Iraq, was appointed by Trump in February. The resignation could leave the Army without permanent civilian or uniformed leadership after Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April.