Middle East Eye • April 22, 2026 21:59

US Navy secretary steps down, Pentagon announces

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Score: -0.29 • Center / Neutral

The Pentagon said US Secretary of the Navy John C Phelan is leaving his post “effective immediately”.

A spokesperson thanked Phelan for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Undersecretary Hung Cao will take over as acting Navy secretary.

Story Timeline

Tue 10:00 - The Hill

GOP-linked group urges Congress to slash red tape on Pentagon acquisitions

Tue 16:12 - Washington Examiner

Pentagon rolls back military flu vaccine requirement after ‘era of betrayal’

Tue 16:44 - Middle East Eye

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Tue 23:07 - Washington Post

Pentagon details record $1.5 trillion budget request

Wed 05:07 - Middle East Eye

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Wed 18:43 - Washington Post

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Wed 21:59 - Middle East Eye

US Navy secretary steps down, Pentagon announces

Thu 01:58 - n-tv Politik

Hegseth continues upheaval: US Secretary of the Navy Phelan fired by the Pentagon

Thu 02:04 - Die Welt

According to insiders, US Secretary of the Navy Phelan was fired - Pentagon is silent on the reasons

Different Perspectives

Die Welt

1 article

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02:04

According to insiders, US Secretary of the Navy Phelan was fired - Pentagon is silent on the reasons

Im US-Verteidigungsministerium kommt es zu einem weiteren personellen Wechsel: Marineminister John Phelan soll Insidern zufolge entlassen worden sein. Eine offizielle Begründung blieb aus. Die Leitung übernimmt vorerst Hung Cao.

Middle East Eye

2 articles

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05:07

US reviewing military footprint after Iran strikes, Pentagon says

US reviewing military footprint after Iran strikes, Pentagon says The Pentagon said the United States is reviewing its military presence in the Middle East following strikes by Iran during a …

16:44

Pentagon seeks $30bn boost for munitions amid war on Iran

Pentagon seeks $30bn boost for munitions amid war on Iran US military officials said the Pentagon’s budget includes more than $30bn to replenish critical munitions stockpiles depleted during the US-Israeli …

The Hill

1 article

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10:00

GOP-linked group urges Congress to slash red tape on Pentagon acquisitions

A GOP-linked group is urging Congress to slash red tape on the Pentagon’s defense acquisition process, a restructuring aimed at prioritizing shorter timelines for delivery, expanding the industrial base and …

Washington Examiner

1 article

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16:12

Pentagon rolls back military flu vaccine requirement after ‘era of betrayal’

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved to scale back long-standing Pentagon requirements for annual flu vaccinations, ending what he called an “era of betrayal.”  Under the updated guidance announced by …

Washington Post

2 articles

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18:43

Clearing Strait of Hormuz of mines could take 6 months, Pentagon tells Congress

The Pentagon assessment, shared in a classified briefing for lawmakers, suggests gasoline and oil prices could remain elevated through the midterm elections.

23:07

Pentagon details record $1.5 trillion budget request

The nearly 50 percent jump in spending would fund many of President Donald Trump’s new military projects, but the request has to get through a skeptical Congress.

n-tv Politik

1 article

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01:58

Hegseth continues upheaval: US Secretary of the Navy Phelan fired by the Pentagon

Die US-Marine steht wegen der Blockade des Iran gerade im Fokus. Ausgerechnet zu diesem Zeitpunkt muss der Marineminister der Trump-Regierung seinen Posten räumen. Phelan soll sich mit Verteidigungsminister Hegseth überworfen …