President Trump has made a leadership change at the Department of the Navy, announcing the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan as U.S. forces maintain a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Phelan is stepping down effective immediately, and Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume the role of Acting Secretary of the Navy, according to a Pentagon announcement. No explanation was provided for the sudden change.

“Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Phelan, known as a prominent art collector, previously led a large private investment firm before entering government service.

He has also been a major Republican donor, contributing more than $1.8 million to support GOP candidates.

Cao, a Navy veteran who previously ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Virginia, is viewed as a favored figure by the president.

{Matzav.com}