Hung Cao to take over as acting SECNAV after Phelan’s unexpected exit from Trump administration

Defense Scoop
by Jon Harper
April 22, 2026
3 min read

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John Phelan is departing as Navy Secretary, with Hung Cao taking over as acting SECNAV.

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John Phelan is departing his role as secretary of the Navy, effective immediately, and Hung Cao will step in as acting SECNAV, as announced by Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell. Phelan's surprise exit comes a day after he delivered a keynote address at the Sea-Air-Space symposium, where he discussed plans for a next-generation battleship. Cao, previously the Navy's No. 2 civilian in the undersecretary role, will now serve as acting SECNAV. Parnell's statement did not provide a reason for Phelan's departure, echoing previous unannounced removals of high-profile Pentagon officials by the Trump administration. Cao, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former special operations officer, was nominated for the Navy undersecretary position by President Trump last year.

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