The recent upheaval at the Pentagon has left the U.S. Navy without a civilian leader, and acting officials have quickly filled the gap. Pentagon Chief Press Secretary Sean Parnell shared on Wednesday that Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is resigning.
Parnell stated, “Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan will be leaving the administration effective immediately. On behalf of the Secretary of the Army and the Vice Secretary of the Army, I thank Secretary Phelan for his contributions to the Department of the Navy and the Navy.” He also expressed well-wishes for Phelan’s future, indicating that Vice Secretary Hung Kao would step in as the acting Navy chief.
Attempts to contact Phelan’s office for further comment have been made. Additionally, it was reported that Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth removed Phelan from his position without providing a reason.
Interestingly, Phelan and his wife Amy have a long-standing friendship with President Donald Trump’s family and are closely tied to Palm Beach, Florida. Just this past weekend, Amy hosted a bridal shower for Donald Trump Jr.’s fiancée.
Phelan took on the role of Secretary of the Navy in March 2025, managing a considerable budget exceeding $260 billion and overseeing a vast community of nearly one million personnel, including sailors, Marines, reservists, and civilians. His agenda focused on enhancing shipbuilding, boosting the maritime industrial base, and improving military readiness and quality of life.
Before government service, Phelan built a career in private equity and investment management. He is the founder and chairman of Lager Management, an investment firm based in Palm Beach. He also co-founded MSD Capital, associated with Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell, which has seen significant profits and growth.
Phelan earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds degrees in economics and political science from Southern Methodist University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. His studies also included economics and international relations at the London School of Economics.
Beyond his business pursuits, Phelan has been active in various philanthropic and national security organizations, including serving as chairman of the Third Option Foundation and being a member of Business Executives for National Security. His contributions to academic institutions like Harvard Business School and SMU highlight his diverse engagement.
