US EditionHegseth orders ouster of top Army secretary adviser: Reports
Col. David Butler retired after Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered his removal, citing promotion delays linked to Butler's past role under Gen. Mark Milley, officials said.
- Multiple outlets reported on February 17, 2026, that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to remove Col. David Butler, who then submitted retirement paperwork.
- Hegseth's months-long hold on the promotion list left Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resisting removing Col. David Butler, who had served as senior spokesman for Gen. Mark A. Milley and was valued for his modernization role.
- Nominated for brigadier general, Col. David Butler appeared on a list of 34 promotion‑eligible officers whose advancement had been delayed, and served as a spokesman and media strategist for Dan Driscoll and Gen. Randy George.
- His retirement removed the immediate blockade on promotions, clearing the slate for a promotion slate affecting 34 officers, but military colleagues raised concerns and no successor was named as of February 17, 2026.
- Officials warn that, without clearer explanations from the Department of Defense, the unexplained firings have led to fear, uncertainty, and an unwillingness to speak up among senior military leaders, as Griffin stated.
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28 Articles
According to Hegseth's orders, Colonel David Butler is leaving the Army to retire, and this makes the force incomprehensive because Butler was considered an important communications chief, an analysis.
Hegseth Just Canned Top Pentagon Official - Real News Now
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has directed Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to remove Colonel Dave Butler from his role as chief of Army public affairs and senior advisor, marking the latest leadership shakeup inside the Pentagon as the department undergoes significant restructuring. On Thursday, Hegseth ordered Driscoll to remove Butler from his post, despite Driscoll having resisted the move for months. Driscoll had reportedly valued Butler’s role …
Hegseth Just Canned Top Pentagon Official
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has directed Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to remove Colonel Dave Butler from his role as chief of Army public affairs and senior advisor, the latest in a series of leadership changes at the Pentagon tied to ongoing efforts to reshape senior military ranks.On Thursday, Hegseth ordered Driscoll to remove Butler from his post even though Driscoll had resisted the move for months because of Butler’s role in Army transfor…
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