US Navy Secretary John Phelan has resigned from his position in the Trump administration, with his departure effective immediately, according to a Pentagon announcement. Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran, will temporarily fill the role. Phelan’s exit is part of a broader trend of high-ranking military officials leaving or being removed from their posts under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has dismissed over a dozen senior officers. Phelan, a civilian and major Trump campaign donor, was appointed in 2025 and supported initiatives like the new “Golden Fleet” of battleships. His departure occurs amid tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Navy has not disclosed the reason for Phelan’s resignation, but speculation suggests it may relate to unmet goals in expanding the US fleet and a preference for a replacement more aligned with Trump’s base.
QUESTION: How might the frequent changes in military leadership impact the effectiveness and morale of the US Navy?
US Navy chief leaving post ‘effective immediately’, Pentagon says
