US Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Immediately
US Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving the Trump administration, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.
His departure will be effective immediately, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in a social media post.
Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume the role of acting secretary, Parnell added.
Context of Departure Amid Regional Tensions
Phelan is the latest senior military leader to exit the administration in recent months. His departure occurs amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran and the continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
"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 wrote. "We wish him well in his future endeavors."
The Navy has not provided an official reason for Phelan's departure.
Recent Military Leadership Changes
This announcement follows closely after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down from his position.
Additionally, two other Army officials, General David Hodne and Major General William Green, have recently been removed from their posts.
Since taking office at the Pentagon, Hegseth has dismissed more than a dozen senior military officers, including the Chief of Naval Operations and the Air Force's Vice-Chief of Staff.
Background on John Phelan and Successor Hung Cao
Phelan, a civilian with no prior military service, was sworn in as Secretary of the Navy in March 2025 after being nominated by President Donald Trump in 2024.
His successor, Hung Cao, became Undersecretary in October 2025 and is a 25-year Navy veteran.
Cao previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for the US Senate in Virginia in 2024, endorsed by Trump, against incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine.
Ongoing Strait of Hormuz Tensions and US Naval Blockade
The Navy's leadership change comes as President Trump stated that the US blockade of Iranian ports would continue despite a ceasefire in the conflict.
Clashes have persisted in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route responsible for supplying much of the world's oil. Iran announced it had "seized" two ships in the strait.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed that the president is "satisfied" with the ongoing US naval blockade on Iranian ports and "understands Iran is in a very weak position."
Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator in talks with the US, stated on Wednesday that it is "not possible" for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened due to "the blatant violations of the ceasefire" by the US and Israel.
