U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan speaks about the U.S. Navy’s new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 22, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images
A Pentagon spokesperson announced in a statement Wednesday that Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving the Trump administration “effective immediately.”
Spokesperson Sean Parnell did not provide an explanation for Phelan’s sudden resignation. Reuters reported that Phelan was fired late Wednesday, citing sources.
“On behalf of the Secretary of the Army and the Deputy Secretary of the Army, I would like to thank Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy,” Parnell said in an X post. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Purnell said Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Kao will lead the military, including the U.S. Marine Corps, in an acting capacity.
Phelan’s departure comes as the US Navy continues to enforce a high-stakes blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz.
The vital oil shipping route is a major sticking point in the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran.
The firing report comes less than three weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, fired Army Chief of Staff General Randy George. The timing of the experienced general’s dismissal, just over a month after the US began its war with Iran, is seen as highly unusual and has drawn criticism.
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that Mr. Hegseth fired Mr. George in a “blank phone call” over suspicions that Mr. Hegseth had leaked a story to the New York Times about the Pentagon chief blocking the promotions of two black and two female military officers.
Mr. Hegseth reportedly fired more than a dozen military leaders.
Phelan had no military experience before being appointed by President Donald Trump in March 2025. He is a major art collector and Republican donor who has led a private investment firm.
CNN reported in February that Phelan’s name was on a flight manifest showing he flew from London to New York on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane in 2006. The manifesto was included in millions of files on Epstein released by the Justice Department.
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