Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed senior military adviser Col. Dave Butler from his role as Army spokesperson and media strategist, according to defense officials. The move comes amid long-simmering tension between Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll over their respective roles in the Trump administration. Hegseth had taken issue with Butler’s promotion plans, which were put on hold due to his removal from the list of eligible officers for White House approval. In a statement, Driscoll praised Butler’s lifetime service but declined to address the reasons behind his ouster. The move is part of Hegseth’s efforts to assert control over the military and limit the influence of top Trump appointees like Driscoll and former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/02/17/pete-hegseth-dan-driscoll-david-butler