Key takeaways:
- Navy Secretary John Phelan leaves his post effective immediately, replaced by Undersecretary Hung Cao as acting secretary.
- Tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg over shipbuilding and naval deployment led to Phelan's dismissal.
- Phelan's departure follows multiple high-level military firings by Hegseth, including the Army Chief of Staff and other senior officers.
Navy Secretary John Phelan has left his position effective immediately, the Pentagon announced Wednesday, marking another high-profile departure from the Trump administration’s defense leadership. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the move but did not specify a reason. Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao, a Navy veteran and 2024 GOP Senate nominee in Virginia, will serve as acting Navy secretary.
According to multiple officials, Phelan’s dismissal followed mounting tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg. The primary source of conflict appeared to be Phelan’s approach to shipbuilding, a key area of interest for President Trump. The officials noted disagreements over the pace and management of expanding the Navy’s fleet, including the “Trump-class” battleships initiative, as well as deployment strategies.
Feinberg reportedly took over some decision-making authority on shipbuilding from Phelan. The abrupt firing surprised many in Congress and the Pentagon, especially given the Navy’s critical role in enforcing a naval blockade on Iran amid a fragile ceasefire. The U.S. military has seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, actions Iran has condemned as violations of the ceasefire. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the blockade, calling it “massively effective.”
There were conflicting reports about whether Phelan was informed of his firing before the public announcement. A senior administration official stated that President Trump and Hegseth agreed on the need for new Navy leadership and that Hegseth informed Phelan prior to the announcement. However, other sources said Phelan learned of his dismissal only after seeing the Pentagon’s statement on social media.
Phelan was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025 with a 62-30 vote, including support from 11 Democrats. During his tenure, he oversaw U.S. military actions involving strikes on drug boats near Latin America, seizures of oil tankers linked to Venezuela, and the transport of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to a U.S. aircraft carrier following his capture. He also reversed the demotion of Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson earlier this year.
Phelan’s last public appearance was Tuesday at the Sea Air Space Conference near Washington, D.C. Lawmakers expressed surprise and concern over his sudden departure. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the dismissal “troubling” and cited it as part of ongoing instability within the Department of Defense under Trump and Hegseth.
Phelan’s exit follows a series of high-level removals by Hegseth, including the recent forced retirement of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and other senior Army officials. Since assuming office in 2025, Hegseth has dismissed multiple top military leaders, including Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown Jr., Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and Coast Guard Adm. Linda Fagan. These moves reflect ongoing leadership changes amid the administration’s defense policy shifts.
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