Hegseth favors Sean Parnell for Army secretary, sources say, but it's unclear who's on Trump's short list - CBS News
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly favoring Sean Parnell for the position of Army secretary. The search for a successor to Dan Driscoll follows months of internal tension within the Pentagon.
Why it matters
The appointment of a new Army secretary is a critical personnel decision that will shape the leadership and policy direction of the U.S. military under the current administration.
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 CBS 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. It's still unclear who is on President Trump's shortlist for the job.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.
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