U.S. Navy Secretary John C. Phelan, Trump’s pick to lead the service, is departing the administration effective immediately, the Pentagon said.

Hung Cao, currently undersecretary for the Navy, will take over on an acting basis.

Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job, the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday, the first head of a military service to depart during President Donald Trump’s second term but just the latest top defense leader to step down or be ousted.

In a statement posted to social media, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Phelan was “departing the administration, effective immediately.”

John Phelan is out as Navy secretary, "effective immediately," the Pentagon said Wednesday evening. "We are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy," chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on a brief post on X.

Navy Secretary John Phelan will leave the Trump administration “effective immediately,” chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced Wednesday, marking the latest departure of a top defense official this year.

Navy Secretary John Phelan abruptly left his job on Wednesday in part because a hugely expensive new battleship he championed sparked friction with his superiors — including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job, the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday, the first head of a military service to depart during President Donald Trump’s second term but just the latest top defense leader to step down or be ousted.