US Navy Secretary John Phelan Abruptly Leaves Administration

US Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving the Trump administration effective immediately, with Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao taking over as acting secretary. Phelan's departure comes amid tensions in the Middle East, including a US-Israel war with Iran and a continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The reason for Phelan's departure is not specified, but it is part of a larger shakeup in the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has fired over a dozen senior military officers. Phelan, a civilian and major donor to Trump's campaign, was sworn in as Secretary of the Navy in March 2025. His replacement, Cao, is a 25-year Navy veteran who has been critical of the military's diversity initiatives.

The US officials say Iran's military capabilities are more intact than the Trump administration has publicly acknowledged. Despite the US and Israeli campaign that struck thousands of targets, Iran's ballistic missiles, naval arm, and air power remain partially operational. The officials contradict the public statements made by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who claimed that the US effort, Operation Epic Fury, had essentially destroyed Iran's military capacity. The US officials estimate that about half of Iran's ballistic missiles, 60% of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and two-thirds of Iran's air force are still operational. The head of the Defense Intelligence Agency also stated that Iran can still inflict damage despite the degradations to its capabilities.

Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his role effective immediately, as announced by chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. The decision was made by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who informed Phelan before it was made public. Phelan's departure is the latest high-profile exit from the Trump administration, following the removal of other officials such as Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and the retirement of Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey. Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao will take over as the Navy's new acting civilian leader. Phelan's tenure was marked by significant events, including the Navy's participation in US military strikes on alleged drug boats near Latin America and the seizure of oil tankers linked to Venezuela. Phelan also supported Trump's plan to expand the Navy's fleet by building up to 25 new 'Trump-class' battleships.