The Pentagon announced Wednesday that Navy Secretary John C. Phelan has stepped down from his position effective immediately. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the departure but provided no reason for the decision.
“Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately. On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy,” Parnell announced. He added that Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy, effective immediately.
The Secretary of the Navy serves as the civilian leader of the Department of the Navy, which includes the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Phelan, a businessman and political donor with no prior military experience, was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate last March by a vote of 62-30. Over his 13-month tenure, he placed particular emphasis on shipbuilding and improving overall efficiency, in line with President Donald Trump’s stated goals.
🚨 JUST IN: Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is IMMEDIATELY stepping down from his position, Pentagon says — HUNG CAO is taking over as Acting Secretary
Wow 👀
“On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his… pic.twitter.com/n7l9y2c7jq
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 22, 2026
Phelan’s departure is the latest in a series of personnel changes at the Pentagon. It occurs as the Navy supports ongoing operations, including a major blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent weeks, War Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed additional leadership adjustments among senior military officers. On April 2, Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to retire effective immediately, cutting short his term. The same day, the Pentagon removed Gen. David Hodne, commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., the Army’s chief of chaplains.
No detailed public explanations were provided for the individual departures. Earlier adjustments under the current administration have included the removal of other senior uniformed leaders, such as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and additional flag officers across the services.
The latest shakeup occurs just a day after President Trump announced that the ongoing ceasefire with Iran will continue indefinitely, which came just hours ahead of an expiration deadline. The Navy’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue until a lasting peace agreement is reached, however.
