John Phelan out as U.S. Navy secretary

Source: Axios · Bias: Center Left

Summary

John Phelan is "departing" as U.S. Navy secretary, the Pentagon said Wednesday.Why it matters: The announcement caught many off-guard, and casts Phelan into the growing pile of military officials that either abruptly exited or were pushed out of their posts under Trump 2.0.Driving the news: Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Phelan was "departing the administration, effective immediately," in a post on X.Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will take over in an acting capacity.What they're saying: "Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a person familiar with the situation told Axios."He didn't get along" with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, they added.Phelan had a good relationship with President Trump, another person said.The intrigue: Phelan sat down with a dozen or so reporters Tuesday afternoon to discuss the future of the sea service and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet and its battleship and frigate.Catch up quick: Phelan, a longtime financier, was confirmed by the Senate about a year ago.Go deeper: Hegseth's wartime firing of top generals stuns officials: "It's insane"

Related Coverage

Daily Analysis

Read the full Parallax Pulse for April 22, 2026 — an AI-powered analysis of how Left and Right media covered the biggest stories this day.

More Headlines From April 22, 2026

arallaxNews.io
John Phelan out as U.S. Navy secretary
Axios

John Phelan out as U.S. Navy secretary

Center Left

John Phelan is "departing" as U.S. Navy secretary, the Pentagon said Wednesday.Why it matters: The announcement caught many off-guard, and casts Phelan into the growing pile of military officials that either abruptly exited or were pushed out of their posts under Trump 2.0.Driving the news: Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Phelan was "departing the administration, effective immediately," in a post on X.Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will take over in an acting capacity.What they're saying: "Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a person familiar with the situation told Axios."He didn't get along" with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, they added.Phelan had a good relationship with President Trump, another person said.The intrigue: Phelan sat down with a dozen or so reporters Tuesday afternoon to discuss the future of the sea service and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet and its battleship and frigate.Catch up quick: Phelan, a longtime financier, was confirmed by the Senate about a year ago.Go deeper: Hegseth's wartime firing of top generals stuns officials: "It's insane"

Read Full Story at Source