Defense Secretary Hegseth may nominate Press Secretary Parneel to be the next Army Chief.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly considering Sean Parneel, his press secretary, to become the next Army Chief when Dan Driscoll steps down by the end of 2026. The Hill reports this development based on unnamed sources within the Pentagon.

Tensions have been rising between Hegseth and Driscoll recently. In April, Driscoll publicly stated that he had no intention of resigning. Now, insiders say his departure is likely to occur before the year ends.

Sean Parneel served as a US Army captain and fought in Afghanistan. Since February 2025, he has held the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. He is currently considered Hegseth's closest confidant. Reports suggest that Parneel has already expressed interest in the Army Chief position if it becomes available.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Driscoll might resign by the end of the year, citing long-standing disagreements with the top Pentagon official as the reason.

Driscoll recently moved his family out of their government housing at the Meyer-Henderson-Hall base in Virginia this summer.

A former general who coordinated aid for Kyiv also resigned earlier.