Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) sharply criticized the timing of Navy Secretary John C. Phelan’s immediate departure, calling it disruptive during ongoing U.S. military operations that include a naval blockade of a strategically important waterway.
“The Secretary of the Navy is being pushed out in the middle of a war with a naval blockade of one of the most strategically important waterways in the world,” Kim posted on X. “And to make matters worse, the new Acting Secretary is this guy who previously said the military needs to recruit ‘alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them and ask for seconds.’ Our servicemembers in harm’s way deserve better.”
The Pentagon confirmed the change in leadership on April 22, 2026. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced: “Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately. On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy. We wish him well in his future endeavors. Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy.”
Under Secretary Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain and combat veteran, will assume the acting role. No reason for Phelan’s departure was provided in the official announcement.