Reports: Defense Secretary Hegseth Forced Out Top Army Communications Adviser Col. Dave Butler, Stalled Promotions List
Multiple outlets report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the removal last week of Col. Dave Butler — the Army’s top strategic communications adviser to Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George (and adviser to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll), and a former spokesman for Gen. Mark Milley — and that Butler subsequently “officially retired”; officials told the New York Times Hegseth blamed Butler for late‑2025 news articles that compared Hegseth unfavorably to Driscoll, and several outlets say Butler’s name was on a promotions list Hegseth reportedly held up. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll praised Butler’s 28‑year career and role in the Army’s transformation, and observers say it is unusual for a defense secretary to personally order such a firing, a move seen in the context of Hegseth’s broader Pentagon shake‑up and hostility toward Milley.
📌 Key Facts
- Senior Defense Department officials and multiple outlets report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the firing of Col. Dave Butler; outlets say Butler was subsequently described as having officially retired.
- Col. Dave Butler was the Army’s top strategic communications adviser to Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, served as communications adviser to Army Secretary Dan (Daniel) Driscoll, and previously was spokesman for Gen. Mark Milley when Milley was chair of the Joint Chiefs.
- Two defense officials told reporters that Hegseth blamed Butler for late‑2025 news articles that compared Hegseth unfavorably to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
- Butler’s name appeared on a promotions list that Hegseth reportedly held up, suggesting his removal was tied to a wider stall in officer promotions.
- Reporting noted the unusual nature of a defense secretary personally weighing in on the removal of an Army spokesman and placed the action in the context of Hegseth’s well‑known hostility toward Gen. Mark Milley.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll issued an on‑the‑record statement praising Butler’s 28‑year career and his role in the Army’s transformation efforts.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Clarifies Butler’s position as communications adviser to both Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, not just a generic public affairs chief.
- States that multiple outlets (Fox News, Washington Post, New York Times) report Butler was fired on Hegseth’s orders and then 'officially retired.'
- Adds that Butler’s name was on a promotions list that Hegseth reportedly held up, suggesting his case was tied to a wider stall in officer promotions.
- Includes an on‑the‑record statement from Army Secretary Dan Driscoll praising Butler’s 28-year career and role in 'the Army’s transformation efforts.'
- Confirms, via senior Defense Department officials, that Col. Dave Butler was fired last week on orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Specifies Butler’s current role as top strategic communications adviser to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and his prior role as spokesman for Gen. Mark Milley when he was Joint Chiefs chair.
- Reports that two defense officials say Hegseth blamed Butler for late‑2025 news articles that compared Hegseth unfavorably to Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
- Notes the unusual nature of a defense secretary personally weighing in on firing an Army spokesman and situates it in the context of Hegseth’s well‑known hostility toward Milley.