Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving, Pentagon says, in latest departure of a top defense leader

PBS NewsHour
by Associated Press
April 22, 2026
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2 min read

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Navy Secretary John Phelan is departing the administration immediately, according to the Pentagon.

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Navy Secretary John Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. This exit marks the latest departure among top defense leaders within the Trump administration. Phelan's immediate resignation creates a vacancy in a critical leadership position for the U.S. Navy. His departure contributes to an ongoing pattern of high-level personnel changes at the Pentagon.

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