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Hegseth 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.
23 Articles
23 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
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…
Pete Hegseth dismissed Colonel Dave Butler from his position as chief of public affairs and chief adviser to the Army. This is another name change in the Trump administration’s efforts to renew some senior Pentagon military positions. In this case, Butler had served as chief spokesman for Mark Miley, who was head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff between 2019 and 2023. Read more
Hegseth boots Army’s top spokesman in latest Pentagon shake-up: report
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the removal of the Army’s top spokesman, Col Dave Butler, as part of a sweeping overhaul of Pentagon leadership under President Trump, according to a new report.
REPORT: Pete Hegseth Orders Removal of Top Army Secretary Adviser Linked to Milley Amid Ukraine War Negotiations in Geneva — Promotion List Frozen for Months | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hᴏft
According to a Fox News report by Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to remove Colonel Dave Butler from his post as Chief of Army Public Affairs and as the top adviser to the Secretary.
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