Pentagon says Navy secretary is leaving, the latest departure of a top defense leader

National Pentagon says Navy secretary is leaving, the latest departure of a top defense leader April 22, 20267:30 PM ET By  The Associated Press Secretary of the Navy John Phelan speaks, as President Trump listens, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 22 in Palm Beach, Fla. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job, the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday, the first head of a military service to depart during President Trump's second term but just the latest top defense leader to step down or be ousted. No reason was given for the unexpected departure of the Navy's top civilian official, coming as the sea service has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports and is targeting ships linked to Tehran around the world during a tenuous ceasefire in the war. Another Trump loyalist is taking over as acting head of the Navy: Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy combat veteran who ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House in Virginia. Sponsor Message Middle East conflict Iran says it seized ships in Strait of Hormuz as U.S. blockade continues amid ceasefire Middle East conflict Hegseth ousts the Army chief of staff as the Iran war rages through Week 5 Phelan's departure is the latest in a series of shakeups of top leadership at the Pentagon, coming just weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Army's top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George. Hegseth also has fired several other top generals, admirals and defense leaders since taking office last year. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed military leaders, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Showing how sudden the latest move was, Phelan had addressed a large crowd of sailors and industry professionals on Tuesday at the Navy's annual...