Pentagon rift grows as Hegseth ousts senior army aide
Tehran - BORNA - According to the report, Hegseth instructed Driscoll last week to dismiss Col. David Butler, a longtime public affairs officer who had been nominated for promotion to brigadier general. After being informed of the decision, Butler opted to file for retirement rather than allow his case to delay the advancement of other officers whose nominations had been held up.
Officials cited by the newspaper said Butler’s name appeared on a list of promotion-eligible officers awaiting White House approval for months. His anticipated elevation reportedly became a sticking point, further slowing the process. Butler had most recently worked as a senior communications advisor to Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
In a statement to the newspaper, Driscoll confirmed Butler’s retirement but did not address the circumstances leading to it.
“We greatly appreciate Col. Dave Butler’s lifetime of service in America’s Army and to our nation,” the statement said. “Dave has been an integral part of the Army’s transformation efforts. He will be missed and I sincerely wish him tremendous success in his upcoming retirement after 28 years of service.”
Butler declined to comment.
Hegseth-Driscoll rift
The episode is described as the latest strain in the relationship between Hegseth and Driscoll, an Army veteran with close ties to Vice President JD Vance. Driscoll has assumed an expanded portfolio in recent months, including participating in diplomatic efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine war. Hegseth, for his part, has concentrated on domestic military restructuring and defense industry reforms.
Sources familiar with internal discussions suggested Butler’s past role as spokesman to former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark A. Milley may have contributed to opposition to his promotion. Milley has been a prominent critic of US President Donald Trump and has faced sustained scrutiny from Trump allies since leaving office.
Hegseth has previously taken administrative actions affecting Milley, including suspending his security clearance and ordering a review of his conduct, steps that drew attention within security circles. The removal of officers with professional ties to Milley has also unsettled some within the military establishment, according to the report.
Unusual Pentagon intervention
The decision to intervene in the staff composition of the Army secretary is unusual, current and former officials told the newspaper, particularly at the level of a colonel assigned to communications duties. Several defense officials described Butler as professional and widely respected across political lines.
“He’s about the most nonpartisan guy I know,” said a retired colonel cited in the report. “That’s really too bad.”
Another Army officer questioned the intervention, saying, “It’s terrible for the Army.”
Butler previously served as the senior US military spokesman in Afghanistan and later as communications director for Milley during a turbulent period that included the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the onset of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
The Pentagon did not publicly elaborate on the reasons behind the directive. A spokesperson for Hegseth referred inquiries to Army headquarters, while Butler has remained silent following his decision to retire.
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