Who Is Sean Parnell? Pete Hegseth’s Pick to Become the Next Army Secretary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told people close to him that Sean Parnell is his top choice to become the next secretary of the Army, according to several senior officials cited by CBS News.

Parnell, a former Army officer and current chief Pentagon spokesman, is being considered as the White House searches for a successor to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned Aug. 31 after months of reported tension with Hegseth.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is now leading the process to identify Driscoll’s successor, and it remains unclear who is on President Trump’s formal shortlist. A Defense Department spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, saying the department “doesn’t comment on private conversations between administration officials.”

Parnell’s Military Service and Pentagon Role

Parnell is a former U.S. Army officer and Afghanistan combat veteran who served as an infantry platoon leader. During a 16-month deployment to Afghanistan, he received two Bronze Stars, including one for valor, and a Purple Heart, according to his official Defense Department biography.

The Army profiled Parnell as a former infantry officer who deployed to Afghanistan in 2006. After leaving the military because of combat injuries, he wrote Outlaw Platoon, a memoir about his experience leading soldiers in Afghanistan.

In May 2025, Hegseth selected Parnell to lead a Defense Department review of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The department said Parnell had spent 485 days serving in Afghanistan and would lead a review of previous investigations into the 2021 withdrawal.

Parnell has also worked on veterans policy. His official Pentagon biography says he served as a senior adviser for Concerned Veterans of America and worked with members of Congress on veterans legislation, including the VA MISSION Act, which President Trump signed in 2018.

When Trump appointed Parnell to his Pentagon communications role in February 2025, Parnell said, “I must emphasize that I am the leader I am today because of the incredible Soldiers I served with in Afghanistan. Their bravery, dedication, courage and sacrifice have shaped me profoundly. I am alive today because of them.”

He added, “I accept this position with great humility, recognizing that we are all standing on the shoulders of giants – those warriors who came before us, who sacrificed so much on behalf of a grateful nation.”

The comments were made after Trump announced Parnell as assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs and chief Pentagon spokesman.

Parnell’s Political Runs and Trump Backing

Before joining the Trump administration, Parnell was involved in Republican politics in Pennsylvania.

In 2020, he ran for the U.S. House in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District against Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb. Lamb won the race with 51.1% of the vote to Parnell’s 48.9%, according to election results.

Parnell later entered the 2022 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Pat Toomey. Trump endorsed his campaign, but Parnell suspended his bid in November 2021 after losing a custody case involving his three children.

Trump subsequently selected Parnell for the Pentagon communications position in February 2025. Trump said Parnell was a combat veteran and credited him with helping advance the MISSION Act during Trump’s first term.

Driscoll’s Resignation Leaves Army Leadership Vacancy

The Army secretary position became vacant after Driscoll submitted his resignation to Trump on Aug. 31. The White House confirmed the resignation and praised Driscoll’s work, including his focus on readiness and his involvement in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

The resignation followed months of reported disagreements between Driscoll and Hegseth. According to CBS News, a source familiar with the matter said Driscoll had raised concerns about Army transformation and readiness, including Hegseth’s removal of generals involved in those efforts.

Driscoll had served as Army secretary since February 2025. His departure also follows other senior leadership changes at the Pentagon during Hegseth’s tenure. At least 20 generals, admirals and civilian defense leaders had been fired or left their positions since Hegseth became defense secretary.

The Army also lost its top uniformed officer earlier this year when Hegseth asked Gen. Randy George to take immediate retirement. A successor had not been named as of the outlet’s Sept. 2 report.

Parnell Could Face Senate Confirmation Scrutiny

If Parnell is formally nominated, he would need Senate confirmation to become secretary of the Army.

His background could receive scrutiny during the confirmation process, particularly his political career and his record in the 2021 custody case. Parnell’s former wife accused him of physical and verbal abuse during court proceedings, allegations he denied under oath.

In a November 2021 ruling, Butler County Judge James Arner wrote, “Upon consideration of the credible evidence, I find that Sean Parnell did commit some acts of abuse in the past.” The judge also found Parnell’s estranged wife to be the more credible witness in the proceedings.

Parnell suspended his Senate campaign after the custody ruling. He later returned to public life and was appointed to the Pentagon communications post by Trump in 2025.

White House Reviews Potential Army Secretary Candidates

Parnell remains the reported preference of Hegseth rather than a formally nominated candidate. The White House is still reviewing potential replacements for Driscoll, and Trump’s final choice has not been disclosed.

If Trump ultimately nominates Parnell, his military record, Pentagon experience, political history and previous legal proceedings are likely to form part of the Senate’s examination of his qualifications. Until a nomination is announced, however, Parnell would be described as Hegseth’s reported preferred candidate rather than the incoming Army secretary.