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Navy quietly removed several commanders, drawing congressional pushback

Associated Press reports the Navy removed several top officers without public announcements, and two Democratic lawmakers say Congress was not told.

Published Nov 13, 2026 · 17:12 UTC1 reports

The short version

Associated Press reports the Navy quietly fired or removed several top officers in recent months without announcing the changes.[Associated Press]
Two Democratic lawmakers say the Navy did not inform Congress about firing a nuclear-powered attack submarine's entire leadership team after an underwater collision.[Associated Press]
Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician for Congress and the Supreme Court, left his post during a Navy investigation with no public confirmation, and the full scope of the removals remains unclear.[Associated Press]

The Navy quietly fired or removed several top officers in recent months without announcing the changes, breaking its usual practice.[Associated Press]
Two Democratic lawmakers said the Navy did not inform Congress that it fired the entire leadership team of a nuclear-powered attack submarine last month after an underwater collision.[Associated Press]
According to a defense official who spoke anonymously, the Navy in September fired the commander of a destroyer deployed to the Middle East.[Associated Press]
Dr. Brian Monahan, a Navy rear admiral and attending physician for Congress and the Supreme Court, departed his post during a Navy investigation with no public announcement or confirmation.[Associated Press]

The destroyer commander firing rests on an anonymous defense official and has not been independently confirmed in the available reporting.[Associated Press]
The reasons for the removals and the full number of officials affected remain unclear in the available reporting.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.