Overview
- The Pentagon said Wednesday that Navy Secretary John Phelan was leaving effective immediately, and Undersecretary Hung Cao became the acting civilian leader of the Navy.
- Reuters reported Phelan was fired, and multiple outlets cited months of clashes with Hegseth and deputy Stephen Feinberg over shipbuilding control and chain-of-command access to the president.
- The change comes as the Navy enforces a blockade of Iranian ports during a tenuous ceasefire, with U.S. forces redirecting 29 vessels and boarding two ships, according to CNN.
- Phelan, a major Trump donor with no prior military service, reportedly sought the president’s help to stay in the role, while Trump publicly praised him after the ouster.
- His exit follows Hegseth’s recent removal of Army Chief Gen. Randy George and other senior leaders, stoking concerns about stability and oversight as the administration pushes aggressive shipbuilding plans.