WASHINGTON: US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan will depart workplace “instantly”, the Pentagon introduced on Wednesday (Apr 22), with out offering a proof for the sudden exit.
Phelan’s departure follows the removing of high US Military officer Common Randy George and two different senior officers earlier this month, at a time when the US is locked in a war with Iran that still remains unresolved.
Phelan “is departing the administration, efficient instantly”, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in a press release on X, including that he would get replaced in an performing capability by Undersecretary Hung Cao.
Since returning to workplace early final yr, US President Donald Trump has overseen a purge of high navy personnel, together with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers, Common Charles “CQ” Brown, whom he fired with out rationalization in February 2025.
Different senior officers dismissed embody the heads of the US Navy and Coast Guard, the final who headed the Nationwide Safety Company, the vice chief of workers of the Air Power, a Navy admiral assigned to NATO, and three high navy legal professionals.
The chief of workers of the Air Power additionally introduced his retirement with out rationalization simply two years right into a four-year time period, whereas the pinnacle of US Southern Command retired a yr into his tenure.
US Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth has insisted the president is solely selecting the leaders he needs, however Democratic lawmakers have raised issues concerning the potential politicisation of the historically impartial US navy.
Final yr, the Pentagon chief moreover ordered at the very least a 20 per cent reduce within the variety of active-duty four-star generals and admirals within the US navy, in addition to a ten per cent reduce within the total variety of basic and flag officers.
