President Trump Names Adam Telle as Acting Army Secretary Amid Leadership Transition

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Adam Telle will assume the role of acting Army secretary, effective immediately.

Telle, who currently serves as the Senate-confirmed assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will step into the Army’s top civilian position following the resignation of Secretary Dan Drisoll on Monday. This appointment allows Telle to bypass Michael Obidal, the undersecretary of the Army, who typically would be next in line for the acting role.

“He is a Great Patriot, who is respected by all,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. According to his official Army biography, Telle previously served as chief of staff to Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and as President Trump’s chief liaison to the Senate, among other congressional roles.

“The president made an excellent choice in appointing him to serve as Acting Secretary of the Army,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker said in a statement. “Adam has been a fantastic partner as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. I am confident he will succeed in leading America’s Army.”

Telle’s appointment comes during a period of significant transition for the Army, which is pursuing major modernization efforts while currently lacking confirmed leadership for both the top civilian and uniformed positions.

In April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, leaving Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve to serve in an acting capacity. However, the White House has not yet formally nominated LaNeve for the permanent role, despite reports of bipartisan concern regarding his qualifications.

A Pentagon spokesperson recently told Breaking Defense that the department is working to “lock in” the nomination for the top uniformed post.

LaNeve “has the complete and total trust of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. As we have made clear, we are actively coordinating with our Senate partners to lock in the optimal moment to formally submit his nomination, and we intend to do so,” Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman — who is also reportedly on Hegseth’s shortlist for the Army secretary role — stated last week.

Source link