Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced on Wednesday that Navy Secretary John Phelan “will leave the administration, effective immediately.” It is not yet clear why the announcement was made and whether Phelan will step down or has been asked to do so.
Under Secretary of the Navy Hong Cao will serve as acting Secretary of the Navy, Parnell said.
“On behalf of the Secretary of War and the Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the U.S. Navy. We wish him well in his future endeavors,” Parnell said in his statement.
In this Dec. 22, 2025, file photo, Navy Secretary John Phelan speaks at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club, in Palm Beach, Florida.
Alex Brandon/AP, File
Phelan is appointed to his position in March 2025.
According to his Marine Department biography, Phelan was founder and president of Rugger Management, a private investment firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to launching Rugger, he was co-founder and co-managing partner of MSD Capital, a private investment firm affiliated with Michael Dell, and MSD Partners, which managed investments for outside investors.
He earned a master’s degree from Harvard Business School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science.
Phelan also holds a General Course Certificate in Economics and International Relations from the London School of Economics.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
