Why no-one wants to work with Pete Hegseth

What’s the story?

Pete Hegseth is looking increasingly lonely in his role as secretary of defence right now.

Dan Driscoll, former US army secretary and its most senior civilian figure, has quit his role after months of tension between the two.

According to US reports, Driscoll became increasingly angry and frustrated as Hegseth sacked an increasing number of senior Black, women and LGBTQ+ people from the US army.

"Hegseth basically made it his job to clear out anyone who didn't pass what he considered to be the alpha male," says Emily Maitlis.

"It is literally the testosterone test, which is what they started offering."

In July 2026, Hegseth said that American "warriors" would have their testosterone levels checked, and those who were found to be deficient would be given muscle enhancements, (steroids, in other words) which were previously banned in the US military.

In an address to US generals from around the world, Hegseth had demanded they shave their beards and do more press-ups, in order to achieve what he considered a more impressive looking US army.

“Driscoll said he can’t take it any longer, he can’t work with Pete Hegseth,” says Jon Sopel.

Has Pete Hegseth ‘destroyed’ the US military?

With America still at war with Iran, it's probably not the best time to have a former Fox News presenter running the military all-but solo.

"America has declared victory so many times, but is the Strait of Hormuz open? No, and I think that it's costing Donald Trump politically," says Jon.

Driscoll's resignation leaves an estimated 450,000 active duty US soldiers without their top civilian leader, and the US army with fewer generals than at any time in its history.

"Driscoll essentially says Pete Hegseth has destroyed the military," says Maitlis.

From the invasion of Iran at Israel's behest, to the assassination of alleged drug traffickers in boats off the coast of Venezuela, Hegseth and Trump have behaved unlike any other US administration before.

Driscoll's departure is the latest in a long line of senior military staff to have left Hegseth's team, including navy secretary John Phelan, who quit in April 2026, army chief of staff Randy George, army general David Hodne and major general William Green.

Will Hegseth run unchecked with Dan Driscoll for balance?

Senior figures in the US military could hardly be considered snowflakes in any sense of the word, but The News Agents say what they experienced under Trump and Hegseth's management of its army made them feel "deeply uncomfortable".

"It's not surprising that you're hearing about resignations and people saying they don't want to be part of this," Jon says.

"At the same time, you've got Hegseth saying he doesn't want them to be part of this either, because they're too Black, too female, or too whatever."

Maitlis says the question that now remains is whether this is the direction Trump is happy to see things go.

"Driscoll was a counterweight to Hegseth's Fox News MAGA impulses, and without him, does it just become even more Hegseth than before?

"What you've essentially lost is somebody who was balancing that out."

Unless, as some have speculated, Hegseth's heavy-handed approach to his role is all part of a plan to run for Republican leadership in 2028.

"The Vance/Rubio debate is what people think is the setting of the stage," Maitlis adds.

"But if you dangle in the godmother figure of Pete Hegseth, it becomes very messy indeed – and really quite enjoyable as a spectacle."

Listen to the latest episode of The News Agents.