The Pentagon announced on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) that the Navy's top civilian official, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, is leaving his job.
In a statement posted to social media, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Mr. Phelan was “departing the administration, effective immediately.”
Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will become acting secretary of the Navy, Mr. Parnell said.
The sudden departure comes just a day after Mr. Phelan addressed a large crowd of sailors and industry professionals at the Navy's annual conference in Washington, D.C., and spoke with reporters about his agenda.
Mr. Phelan's departure also comes just weeks after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Army's top officer, Gen. Randy George, as well as two other top generals in the Army.
