The Pentagon announced Wednesday 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 Phelan was “departing the administration, effective immediately.”
Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will become acting secretary of the Navy, Parnell said.
The sudden departure comes just a day after Phelan addressed a large crowd of sailors and industry professionals at the Navy’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., and spoke with reporters on his ongoing agenda.
Cao came to the U.S. as a refugee from Vietnam and served in the Navy for 25 years. He ran for U.S. Senate in Virginia, but ultimately lost to Sen. Tim Kaine in 2024.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
