The U.S. Navy has removed Rear Adm. Brian Monahan, the longtime attending physician of Congress, amid an investigation into alleged misconduct, according to multiple reports.
Punchbowl News first reported the removal late Wednesday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. A civilian deputy physician who served under Monahan was also reportedly fired.
Monahan has held the post since 2009. He was nominated to the role and his current rank by former President Barack Obama. As attending physician, he oversaw medical care for members of Congress, their staff, and Supreme Court justices.
The nature of the misconduct allegations has not been made public. The Naval Inspector General has been investigating Monahan, and its report is expected to be released in the coming days.
Monahan’s removal follows separate reports that the Navy had begun pulling active-duty sailors assigned to the Office of the Attending Physician at the Capitol.
Before his Capitol assignment, Monahan served as director of hematology and medical oncology at the Navy’s medical center. He specializes in internal medicine, hematology and oncology and is a member of the American College of Physicians.
The Office of the Attending Physician was established by congressional resolution in 1928 to meet lawmakers’ medical needs. Navy medical officers have run it ever since. Beyond routine and urgent care, the office handles emergency response throughout the Capitol complex. It also coordinates with the Capitol Police and the House and Senate sergeants at arms on emergency planning.
Monahan was one of the longest-serving physicians in the office’s history, and his tenure was not without controversy.
He drew heavy fire from conservatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he backed mask requirements for the House under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Lawmakers who refused to comply faced fines.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was among those fined for ignoring the mandate, reacted quickly to the news. He called Monahan “part of the deep Congress.”
Massie also accused the physician of having “endorsed and gave false credibility to Pelosi’s ridiculous mask mandate.”
Monahan also made headlines in 2023, after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell froze up during public appearances on two occasions. Monahan publicly cleared McConnell to keep working.
The Navy has not publicly commented on the removal. It also remains unclear who will lead the office going forward or how the change will affect medical services for lawmakers and justices.
The leadership shakeup comes as Congress returns for a lame-duck session following last week’s midterm elections. Democrats won control of both chambers and will take over in January.
More details are expected once the inspector general’s report is made public.
