John Phelan out as Navy secretary in latest high-profile Trump admin. departure

Politics John Phelan out as Navy secretary in latest high-profile Trump administration departure By Joe Walsh, Joe Walsh Senior Editor, Politics Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston. Read Full Bio Joe Walsh, Eleanor Watson Eleanor Watson CBS News Reporter Eleanor Watson is a CBS News multi-platform reporter and producer covering the Pentagon. Read Full Bio Eleanor Watson April 22, 2026 / 5:40 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his role effective immediately, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Wednesday.The Navy's new acting civilian leader will be Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao, according to Parnell.This is a breaking story; it will be updated. .component--type-recirculation { .item:nth-child(7), .card-recirc:nth-child(7) { display: none; } } #inline-recirc-item--id-3afc56c3-604b-4c58-a873-eb16255d931c, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-3afc56c3-604b-4c58-a873-eb16255d931c { display: none; } #inline-recirc-item--id-3afc56c3-604b-4c58-a873-eb16255d931c ~ .item:nth-child(7) { display: block; } © 2026 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.