Overview
- The Pentagon, which disclosed the move Wednesday, said John Phelan was leaving effective immediately and named Undersecretary Hung Cao acting secretary.
- Officials offered no explanation for the sudden change, which followed Phelan’s public remarks at the Navy’s annual conference and meetings with House Armed Services leaders earlier in the week.
- U.S. outlets report months of friction between Phelan and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including concerns that Phelan bypassed the chain of command through direct access to President Trump and that he was a major Trump donor.
- The change lands as U.S. naval forces enforce a Strait of Hormuz blockade in the confrontation with Iran, with Central Command saying 31 vessels have been turned back since the effort began.
- The Navy secretary is the top civilian who steers budgets and shipbuilding plans, and lawmakers warn the wider turnover could slow restocking of Tomahawk missiles and air defense systems and unsettle sailors and allies.