Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his position, the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday, marking the first head of a military service to depart during President Trump's second term but just the latest top defense leader to step down or be ousted.
No reason was given for the unexpected departure of the Navy's top civilian official, which comes as the sea service has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports and is targeting ships linked to Tehran around the world during a tenuous ceasefire in the war. Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy combat veteran who ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House in Virginia, is taking over as acting secretary.
Phelan's departure is the latest in a series of shakeups at the Pentagon, coming just weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army's top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George. Hegseth has also fired several other top generals, admirals and defense leaders since taking office last year. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed military leaders including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles 'CQ' Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a post on X that Phelan was 'departing the administration, effective immediately.' The White House did not answer questions and instead responded by sending a link to Parnell's statement.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics have questioned the pattern of rapid leadership changes at the Pentagon, arguing that the constant turnover undermines military readiness and institutional stability. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the removal of experienced military leaders without clear justification, with some suggesting the departures reflect political loyalty tests rather than professional performance issues.
The departures have come during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the region. Progressive advocacy groups have noted that ousting experienced admirals and generals during such a volatile period could affect operational continuity at a time when the Navy is conducting blockade operations against Iranian ports.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative supporters of the administration frame the leadership changes as necessary to rid the military of what they describe as woke DEI initiatives and out-of-touch generals. Trump and Hegseth have publicly railing against diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the military, banning such efforts and firing individuals accused of supporting them.
The new acting Navy secretary, Hung Cao, ran on a platform opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for service members and criticizing military DEI efforts. During his 2024 Senate debate against Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, Cao said: 'When you're using a drag queen to recruit for the Navy, that's not the people we want.' Conservative commentators have praised Cao as someone who will prioritize combat readiness over what they view as ideological distractions.
What the Numbers Show
Phelan had served as Navy secretary since late 2024, nominated by Trump after serving as a major donor to his campaign and founding the private investment firm Rugger Management LLC. Phelan had no prior military service or civilian leadership role in the Navy before his nomination, making him an outsider brought in to potentially shake up the service.
Cao is a 25-year Navy veteran who served with SEAL teams and special forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain. He ran unsuccessful bids for U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2024 and for U.S. House in 2022. He earned a master's degree in physics and had fellowships at MIT and Harvard University.
The leadership changes represent a significant reshuffling of top Pentagon positions, with multiple service chiefs and uniformed leaders removed since February 2025. The Navy currently has three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the Middle East as part of operations tied to the Iranian port blockade.
The Bottom Line
Phelan's departure marks a significant moment in the ongoing reshuffling of Pentagon leadership under the Trump administration, being the first service secretary to leave during the second term. The transition occurs at a particularly sensitive time, with the Navy conducting high-stakes operations in the Middle East targeting Iranian vessels during a tenuous ceasefire.
Acting Secretary Hung Cao brings extensive military experience but enters the role during one of the most active periods for U.S. naval operations globally. His past statements suggest alignment with the administration's priorities on military readiness and opposition to Biden-era policies. The White House has not indicated whether Phelan's departure is permanent or if a formal nomination process will follow, leaving questions about the long-term leadership trajectory at the Navy Department.