Fired Navy secretary refused to leave post until Trump told him directly

The Independent The Independent

Navy Secretary John Phelan has been ousted from the Trump administration, marking the second major leadership shakeup at the Pentagon since the Iran war began in late February.

“President Trump and Secretary Hegseth agreed new leadership at the Navy is needed,” a senior administration official told The Independent on Wednesday evening. “Secretary Hegseth informed John Phelan of this news prior to it being made public.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Defense Department spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X that Phelan was leaving “effective immediately,” offering no explanation for the sudden exit.

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