The Pentagon announced the immediate resignation of John Phelan, the Secretary of the Navy, on Wednesday. This sudden exit follows a series of dismissals of senior military leaders by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Phelan's resignation occurs during a critical phase as the US Navy implements a blockade on Iranian ports and targets ships associated with Tehran amid ongoing tensions in the region. Hung Cao, currently the Undersecretary of the Navy, will take over as the acting secretary. Phelan, who had no previous military or civilian leadership experience in the Navy, was appointed by President Donald Trump in late 2024 and was known for his significant contributions to Trump's campaign. His prior military exposure was limited to an advisory role at a non-profit supporting defense initiatives. Cao, a 25-year veteran of the Navy, previously attempted to unseat Democratic Senator Tim Kaine in Virginia's 2024 Senate race.