# Navy has quietly fired some commanders and other officials, drawing congressional pushback

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/navy-has-quietly-fired-some-commanders-and-other-officials-drawing-congressional-pushback/
- Published: 2026-11-13T16:58:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T17:27:16+00:00
- Original publisher: PBS NewsHour (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/navy-has-quietly-fired-some-commanders-and-other-officials-drawing-congressional-pushback
- Topics: Government, Middle East, Politics, World

## Key points

- Navy dismissals were not publicly announced as usual.
- House Democrats say Congress was not informed about submarine leaders.
- Other departures include a destroyer commander and Congress’s attending physician.

## Summary

The Navy has removed several senior officers and officials in recent months without its usual public announcements, prompting lawmakers to accuse it of failing to keep Congress informed. The departures come amid greater secrecy around military activity in the Middle East and could intensify scrutiny at acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao’s confirmation hearing next week.

The Navy dismissed the USS South Dakota submarine’s commander, second in command and top enlisted sailor after the vessel struck something on the seabed last month; two House Democrats said Congress was not notified. In September, it also relieved USS Michael Murphy commander Caitlin Cunningham, who had been deployed to support operations against Iran, citing a loss of confidence. Rear Adm. Brian Monahan, Congress and the Supreme Court’s attending physician for nearly 18 years, also left his post during a Navy investigation.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.