Get you up to speed: Hegseth favors Sean Parnell for Army secretary, sources say, but it’s unclear who’s on Trump’s short list
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated that Sean Parnell is his top choice for the role of secretary of the Army, as confirmed by several senior officials in Washington. This comes after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation following tensions with Hegseth.
The White House is conducting an internal search for a successor to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who has resigned amid ongoing tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Sean Parnell, currently the chief Pentagon spokesperson and a former Army officer, has emerged as a strong candidate for the role.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated that Sean Parnell is his top pick to replace Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who has resigned amidst ongoing tensions. The White House, led by Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, is reviewing potential candidates to fill the position, with Parnell being a favoured choice among senior Pentagon officials.
What remains unclear — The composition of President Trump’s shortlist for the Army Secretary position has not been disclosed.
Hegseth supports Sean Parnell for Army Secretary amid uncertain shortlist
Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told people close to him that Sean Parnell would be his top choice for secretary of the Army, several senior officials told WTX US News.
Parnell is currently chief Pentagon spokesperson and a former Army officer.
A Defense Department spokesperson said: “The DOW [Department of War] doesn’t comment on private conversations between administration officials.”
The White House is looking at names for a replacement for Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who has submitted his resignation after months of tension with Hegseth. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is leading the process to name his successor.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images 
It’s still unclear who is on President Trump’s shortlist for the job.
Parnell is a veteran of Afghanistan, and has been honored with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor. He returned home with shrapnel in his leg and a traumatic brain injury that caused vision problems and migraines.
A former U.S. Senate candidate, Parnell is popular with top Pentagon officials. He’s known for pursuing projects to benefit military members that are outside the public affairs unit’s traditional portfolio, and regularly fields phone calls from undersecretaries looking for advice.
Now a staunch supporter of Mr. Trump, Hegseth had once been critical him. In 2015, Parnell posted on social media after the then-presidential candidate criticized John McCain that Mr. Trump’s “attacks against @SenJohnMcCain are the height of arrogance & show that he has no clue what our Vietnam POWs endured.