Navy Secretary John Phelan fired

The Pentagon announced that Phelan would leave his role effective immediately, with Trump-backed combat veteran Hung Cao named as his temporary successor.

Sources suggest Phelan's removal stemmed from a breakdown in his relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and disagreements over the pace of naval modernization.

The dismissal follows the recent sacking of the Army Chief of Staff and highlights growing instability within the U.S. military command structure.

Critics have pointed to Phelan's direct communication with the White House as a source of friction with his superiors.