The key moment of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Navy Secretary Frank resigns
On April 22, the Pentagon stated that this resignation decision takes effect immediately, with former Deputy Secretary Gao Hong appointed as acting U.S. Navy Secretary.
U.S. Navy Secretary John Fren has stepped down, and his resignation takes immediate effect. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced this news officially on the social platform X.
He wrote: "On behalf of the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense, I thank Secretary Fren for his dedicated service to the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors and career."
Fren's previous deputy, Gao Hong, has formally assumed the role of acting U.S. Navy Secretary.
CNN, a U.S. cable news network, added reporting: John Fren is by profession a businessman with no military service background whatsoever. After Trump was elected President in 2025, Fren was appointed Navy Secretary. Prior to taking office, he and his wife had raised political donations for Trump’s presidential campaign.
Trump previously commented on Fren: "John will be a steadfast support for U.S. Navy personnel, firmly advancing my 'America First' governance philosophy and placing the core interests of the U.S. Navy first."
At the beginning of April, General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, announced his resignation. CBS cited sources stating that it was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who requested his departure. Hegseth aims to appoint new personnel to implement his and Trump’s jointly developed U.S. Army construction plan.
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On April 13, under Trump’s orders, the U.S. military launched the blockade operation of the Strait of Hormuz, taking control of all vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports. Fren’s resignation at this critical juncture clearly indicates he was unable to fulfill the task.
During his campaign, Trump promised major donors, insiders, and supporters—those who provided substantial financial contributions, fundraising efforts, and public endorsements—that upon winning, they would be rewarded with high government positions. Appointments were not based on professional competence or work experience but purely on political transactions and “political patronage appointments.”
Fren was a major donor during Trump’s campaign, a businessman with zero military background. He exemplifies the typical “political patronage appointment” under Trump’s administration. After one year of probation, due to conflicts with senior military leadership over command philosophies and inability to carry out the “America First” naval expansion strategy, he was discarded by the White House.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863213734583308/
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