WASHINGTON, DC — The Pentagon announced that U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan has left his position, with officials offering no formal explanation for his sudden departure after just over a year in the role.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department was “grateful” for Phelan’s service but did not provide details on the circumstances of his exit. Reports citing sources familiar with the matter indicate the departure may have followed internal tensions within the Defense Department.
Undersecretary Hung Cao, a Navy veteran with decades of service and combat deployments, will serve as acting secretary. His appointment comes as the Navy maintains a significant presence in the Middle East, including multiple aircraft carriers and ongoing operations tied to regional security concerns.
Phelan, a businessman without prior military service, had reportedly clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the pace of shipbuilding reforms and broader strategic priorities.
The leadership change is the latest in a series of high-level shifts within the Pentagon, raising questions about stability as the military navigates complex global operations.
Officials have not indicated whether a permanent replacement will be nominated in the near term.
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