Trump Appoints Adam Telle Acting Army Secretary After Driscoll's Departure

President Donald Trump's administration proposed a supplemental rule on Friday to further reduce Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands.

This proposal from the Department of the Army and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) builds on a November proposed rule for defining waters of the United States (WOTUS). Jon Devine, director of freshwater ecosystems at the Natural Resources Defense Council, stated that the proposal would virtually eliminate protection for freshwater wetlands and most streams. Tarah Heinzen, Food & Water Watch legal director, warned that the proposal gives bad actors the green light to fill, drain, and poison sensitive waterways.

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Adam Telle, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will temporarily replace Dan Driscoll as the Army's top civilian leader. Telle's appointment as acting Army Secretary is effective immediately. Trump lauded Telle as a Great Patriot, who is respected by all in a Truth Social post.

Driscoll resigned earlier this week amid reports of tension between him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In that position, Telle has overseen the Army Corps of Engineers, an agency that builds and maintains infrastructure, including dams. His biography on the U.S. military's website states he has had principal authority to establish policy direction and to provide supervision of all aspects of the civil works tasks performed by the agency.

Before his current role, Telle served as chief of staff to Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee from 2021-2025. He also worked under then-Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi for about a decade from 2007-2017, holding roles including deputy chief of staff and legislative director.