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US Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, has left his post “immediately,” the Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday, though no specific reason for his sudden departure was provided.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell made the announcement on X, stating that Phelan would be temporarily replaced by Undersecretary Hung Cao. This move follows the recent ousting of top US Army officer General Randy George and two other senior officers, further stoking concerns as the US remains embroiled in an ongoing conflict with Iran.
The timing of Phelan’s exit is notable, given the ongoing reshuffling of high-ranking military personnel under US President Donald Trump.
Since returning to office in early 2025, Trump has overseen the dismissal of several top military figures, including General Charles “CQ” Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was fired without explanation in February 2025. Other high-profile dismissals have included the heads of the US Navy and Coast Guard, the chief of the National Security Agency, and multiple senior officers in the Air Force and Navy.
The purge of military leaders also saw the early retirement of several top officials. For example, the US Air Force chief of staff announced his retirement after just two years in a four-year term. Meanwhile, the commander of US Southern Command retired just one year into his role.
Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth defended the personnel changes, claiming that President Trump is simply selecting the leaders he believes best suited for the job.
However, this unprecedented reshuffling has sparked concerns among Democratic lawmakers, who question whether these moves represent an attempt to politicise the military, traditionally seen as a neutral institution.
Further stirring the debate, Hegseth’s Pentagon also ordered a significant reduction in the number of active-duty generals and admirals.
