Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich reported that Navy Secretary John C. Phelan was fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the Pentagon announced his immediate departure from the administration.
“The 34th military officer that Secretary Hegseth has fired since taking over at the agency,” Heinrich said on Fox News’ Special Report. She noted that Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced Phelan was “departing the administration, effective immediately,” and that it was not immediately clear from the statement whether he resigned or was fired.
“Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell posted on X. “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.”
Heinrich added that Phelan had a close relationship with Donald Trump Jr. and had recently hosted a bridal shower for his fiancée in Palm Beach. Phelan was confirmed by the Senate just over a year ago.
Under Secretary Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain and combat veteran, will assume the role of acting secretary. No official reason for the departure was provided in the Pentagon’s statement.