US Navy leadership removals kept quiet, prompting Congress to question transparency

The US Navy has removed or reassigned several senior officers without its customary public announcements, prompting concerns in Congress about transparency and oversight. Democratic lawmakers said the service did not inform them after the entire leadership of a nuclear-powered attack submarine was removed following an underwater collision. Other unannounced departures included a destroyer commander and Rear Adm. Dr Brian Monahan.

The US Navy has removed several senior officers in recent months without its usual public notices. The quiet approach has drawn criticism from Congress. Lawmakers said the lack of updates followed an underwater collision involving a nuclear-powered attack submarine. Other unannounced departures involved a Middle East deployed destroyer commander and a senior Navy doctor.

Reps. Joe Courtney of Connecticut and Adam Smith of Washington raised the issue in a letter. They said the Navy did not inform Congress about key removals. Both lawmakers linked the silence to wider limits on military information, especially in the Middle East. The dispute may add pressure before acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao faces a confirmation hearing next week.

Navy firings and Congress transparency concerns

“As a result of the Navys failure to communicate, what should have been a standard exercise in information sharing has instead raised questions about the Navys commitment to transparency and its commitment to a productive working relationship with Congress,\” Courtney and Smith wrote in a letter to Navy leaders.

The lawmakers addressed the letter to Cao and the Navy’s top uniformed officer, Adm. Daryl Caudle. They said they felt deep frustration about the House Armed Services Committee not being notified. The issue involved the removal of the commander, second in command and top enlisted sailor of the USS South Dakota. The letter said the submarine struck something on the seabed.

Navy firings include USS Michael Murphy commander

A defence official said the Navy also removed Cmdr. Caitlin Cunningham on September 27. Cunningham led the USS Michael Murphy destroyer, deployed to the Middle East. The ship was supporting operations against Iran, the official said. The removal was \”due to a loss of confidence,\” and Cunningham had held the role for less than a year.

The defence official spoke on condition of anonymity due to sensitive personnel matters. The Navy did not issue public comment when asked about the destroyer change. Such removals are usually announced within days, according to the report. The same pattern applied to other high-profile changes in recent months.

Navy investigation follows Dr Brian Monahan departure

Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California confirmed Dr Brian Monahan’s departure on Thursday. They offered limited details. A person familiar with the matter said the Navy has opened an investigation. That person was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Monahan was a Navy rear admiral and served as attending physician for Congress and the Supreme Court. Monahan led the Office of the Attending Physician for nearly 18 years. The office provides emergency care for members, staff, and visitors. Monahan also appeared in news reports about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health.

Monahan was also reported for giving a COVID-19 vaccine to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In this case, there was no public Navy announcement or confirmation. The report said this marked a shift from a long-standing Navy practice. That practice normally includes public notices for removals of visible commanders and officials.

Middle East operational security limits information flow

The report said information controls were not limited to the Navy. US Central Command has released few details on recent limited strikes on Iran. It has also refused to describe damage to bases or equipment. The command often cited operational security to explain its limited public statements.

Limits extended to imagery, according to the report. Satellite imagery providers with US contracts blocked or delayed public releases in the region. The action followed requests from American officials. An Associated Press analysis said it then took months to confirm Iranian drone and missile strikes affected 26 military bases and other sites.

The series of unannounced removals and restricted disclosures has increased scrutiny of Navy transparency. Lawmakers said they expected routine information sharing on senior command changes. The Navy did not provide public comment on the submarine leadership firings or the seabed collision details. The developments also emerged as Hung Cao prepared for a key hearing.

With inputs from PTI