From: Paul Van <namnguu75>
Date: Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 18:52

Trump replacing Navy secretary in major shakeup as Strait of Hormuz blockade rages

By Emily Goodin

Published April 22, 2026
Updated April 22, 2026, 6:16 p.m. ET

39 Comments

President Trump is replacing his Secretary of the Navy as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues as a key chokepoint in the war against Iran.

John Phelan is leaving, effective immediately, and Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Pentagon said Wednesday in a surprise announcement. No reason was given for his departure.

“Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

John Phelan is out as Navy secretary.The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images

Phelan addressed the Navy’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday and spoke to reporters about his plans to ramp up shipbuilding in the service.

“One of the things we are going to do in our contracting is if you beat schedule, you’re going to get a bonus, but you’re going to share it with the workers,” Phelan said.