Trump news at a glance: Pentagon replaces secretary of the navy amid US blockade in strait of Hormuz

The Guardian US News
by Guardian staff
April 23, 2026
2 min read

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The Pentagon replaced Secretary of the Navy John Phelan with Undersecretary Hung Cao amid a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

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The Pentagon announced that John Phelan, the secretary of the navy, is "departing the administration, effective immediately." Undersecretary Hung Cao will take over Phelan's role, according to a statement from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. This change comes as the United States maintains a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The abrupt departure of the navy's top civilian official occurs amidst ongoing military tensions in a critical global shipping lane.

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