Sean Parnell, the Pentagon spokesperson, has announced the departure of another top US military leader.
John Phelan was let go on Wednesday, April 22, with immediate effect. Several other military leaders have left before him since the US war with Iran started on February 28th.
At the beginning of this month, April 2026, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, forced the Army Chief of Staff, Randy George, to resign. His tenure of office was scheduled to end in 2027.
Alongside Randy George, David M. Hodne, a West Point graduate, went. At the time, Hodne was the Commanding General of the Army Transformation and Training Command. Away with the two was also Major General William Green, America’s 26th Chief of Army Chaplains.
About John Phelan’s Appointment
Until his sacking, John Phelan was the US Navy Secretary. While the Pentagon announced his departure, the Navy has not commented. The Pentagon spokesperson said on social media that Phelan would be replaced by Hung Cao, who has been the Navy undersecretary.
John Phelan’s sacking is said to have emanated from a work-related disagreement with the Defense Secretary. Someone familiar with the workings of the Trump administration says that while that may be correct, there is very likely another reason.
He says there is a 70% chance that Trump just wanted to replace Phelan with someone from the MAGA movement that he likes better; someone he also trusts more.
US President Donald Trump appointed Phelan as the Navy Chief in 2024, and the US Senate confirmed him in March 2025.
Phelan had no military background and no expertise in defense matters. He was just a civilian businessman, politically allied to the President. Like many other appointees of Donald Trump, Phelan is a Republican, a big donor, and a great fundraiser.