By — Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/navy-has-quietly-fired-some-commanders-and-other-officials-drawing-congressional-pushback Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Navy has quietly fired some commanders and other officials, drawing congressional pushback Politics Nov 13, 2026 11:58 AM EST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy has quietly fired or removed several top officers in recent months but broke with its usual practice of announcing those changes, drawing pushback from Congress. Two Democratic lawmakers said Thursday that the Navy failed to inform Congress that it fired the entire leadership team of a nuclear-powered attack submarine last month after an underwater collision. Separately, the sea service in September fired the commander of a destroyer deployed to the Middle East, according to a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive personnel matters. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Dr. Brian Monahan,…
Navy has quietly fired some commanders and other officials, drawing congressional pushback
In short
The Navy withheld information regarding the firing of the entire USS South Dakota submarine leadership team following an underwater collision with the seabed. Lawmakers including Representatives Joe Courtney and Adam Smith expressed severe frustration over the failure to notify Congress, warning that the pattern could complicate acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao's confirmation hearing. Additional undisclosed removals include destroyer commander Caitlin Cunningham and longstanding Capitol physician Brian Monahan.
Key points
- Congressional oversight leaders are actively challenging the Navy's departure from standa…: Congressional oversight leaders are actively challenging the Navy's departure from standard notification practices regarding high-level leadership dismissals.
- Growing operational and personnel secrecy poses a direct risk to pending military leaders…: Growing operational and personnel secrecy poses a direct risk to pending military leadership confirmations, including acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao.
- The undisclosed firings mirror broader Defense Department initiatives to withhold critica…: The undisclosed firings mirror broader Defense Department initiatives to withhold critical details regarding Middle East strikes and base damages.