Khaberni - The American War Department (Pentagon) announced that the American Navy Secretary John Villan will leave his post "effective immediately", without providing an explanation for this sudden departure.
Villan's departure follows the dismissal of the American Army Chief of Staff, General Randy George, and two other senior officers earlier this month, amid the war led by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Barnell stated on the X platform that Villan "will depart the administration effective immediately," adding that his temporary replacement will be the Deputy Secretary Hong Cao.
Dispute with Hegseth
CNN reported from sources that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was displeased with the Navy Secretary’s direct communications with President Donald Trump.
The same sources mentioned that Hegseth believed the Navy Secretary was slow in implementing shipbuilding reforms, and the tension between them continued for months.
Villan had never served in the military or held a civilian leadership role in the military service before being nominated by President Donald Trump for the position of secretary in late 2024.
Since his return to office at the beginning of last year, the administration of the American president has dismissed many high-ranking military personnel, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown without any justification in February 2025, as well as other senior military officials in the Navy and Coast Guard.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force also announced his resignation without giving a reason, just two years after taking up his four-year term, while the commander of the US Southern Command resigned one year after taking office.
The Defense Secretary insists that the president selects who he deems most suitable for the position, although the Democrats do not hide their concerns about a potential politicization of the traditionally neutral American military institution regarding the political scene.
