Trump's Secretary of the Navy abruptly leaving - the latest sudden departure from the Pentagon
Donald Trump's Secretary of the Navy is leaving his post "effectively immediately", the Pentagon has announced.
A brief statement did not explain why John Phelan was leaving the powerful position or whether he had resigned or been sacked.
"Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said.
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Donald Trump's Secretary of the Navy John Phelan's lack of experience was questioned. AP
"On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy.
"We wish him well in his future endeavours."
Phelan's departure comes as the Trump administration has been clearing out senior officials at the Pentagon.
Weeks ago, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth fired General Randy George, the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the US Army.
Early in his term Donald Trump sacked Chairman of the Joint Chiefs CQ Brown and replaced him with a retired Air Force General.
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There has been an exodus of senior officers at the Pentagon during Donald Trump's second term. AP
Hegseth also sacked Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Vice Chief James Slife.
Phelan's departure comes as the US Navy engages in its most complex operation in years, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the war with Iran.
In recent weeks, the condition of several US warships has come under scrutiny, with reports sailors aboard the USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln were not getting enough food.
Phelan was a controversial choice for the role, having no experience in the Navy or any connection to the military or defence industry.
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John Phelan's name was listed several times on the manifest for Jeffrey Epstein's plane. Getty
He was however a prominent fundraiser for Trump.
They were both friends with Jeffrey Epstein.
Phelan was also under pressure over his failure to boost America's shipbuilding capacity, a priority of Trump.
The slow pace with which the USA has been building warships has been a major concern for the Pentagon.
It has also been a roadblock in Australia's attempts to obtain Virginia-class submarines from the US.
There have been reports crew on the USS Abraham Lincoln are not getting enough food. Getty
The Undersecretary of the Navy Hung Cao has been elevated to the role in an acting capacity.
Cao served as a captain in the Navy before several bids for elected office that he did not win.
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