Dr. Brian Monahan, the longtime physician responsible for overseeing medical care for members of Congress, has reportedly been removed from his position amid a Navy investigation into alleged misconduct, ending more than 15 years of service in one of Washington’s most sensitive medical roles.
The Navy’s inspector general is expected to release a report later this week that could provide more details about the allegations against Monahan and the circumstances surrounding his removal. An inspector general is an independent oversight official responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct, waste and abuse within government agencies.
Monahan, a Navy rear admiral, has served as the attending physician to Congress since 2009. His position placed him at the center of medical decisions involving some of the nation’s most powerful elected officials, including congressional leaders and aging lawmakers whose health has occasionally become a subject of public scrutiny.
The political news that affects your wallet, your rights and your vote, broken down in plain language. Free in your inbox.
According to Punchbowl News, which first reported the development Thursday, Nov. 12, the Navy removed Monahan following allegations of misconduct. The outlet cited multiple sources familiar with the situation and reported that an inspector general report was expected to become public later this week.
The precise nature of the allegations has not been publicly detailed in the reporting reviewed by Poli Alert. It also remains unclear whether investigators have substantiated any wrongdoing, whether Monahan faces additional administrative action or whether the investigation could result in disciplinary proceedings.
Monahan’s removal represents a significant leadership change at the Office of the Attending Physician, which provides medical services to members of Congress, congressional staff and the Supreme Court.
The office plays an important role in maintaining medical readiness at the Capitol, providing routine medical services and responding to emergencies involving lawmakers and others working within the congressional complex.
Unlike most physicians working in federal government facilities, Monahan held a dual position as a senior military officer and the physician overseeing medical services for the legislative branch.
Navy records confirm that Monahan became attending physician to Congress on Feb. 27, 2009. The Navy’s February 2026 roster continued to list him in that position, confirming his nearly 18-year tenure before the reported removal.
His responsibilities also placed him in a highly sensitive position involving confidential medical information about elected officials. Congressional physicians must balance patient privacy with public questions about lawmakers’ ability to perform their official duties.
Monahan previously attracted national attention for his involvement in medical assessments of lawmakers, including his role in addressing concerns about Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s health following episodes in which McConnell appeared to freeze during public appearances in 2023.
Those earlier medical assessments are separate from the newly reported misconduct investigation. No verified information reviewed by Poli Alert establishes a connection between them.
The Navy maintains an inspector general system that investigates allegations involving military personnel, including potential abuse of authority, ethics violations, misuse of government resources and other forms of misconduct.
According to the Office of the Naval Inspector General, investigators review complaints and determine whether available evidence supports allegations of wrongdoing. The office generally uses a standard requiring evidence that misconduct was more likely than not to have occurred.
An investigation does not automatically establish that a person violated military regulations or federal law.
The circumstances surrounding Monahan’s removal also raise operational questions about the future leadership of the Capitol’s medical office.
It was not immediately clear who would permanently replace Monahan, whether an interim attending physician had been appointed or whether the Navy intended to make additional personnel changes.
The reported investigation comes at a time when the health and fitness of elected officials have received increasing attention, particularly as Congress continues to confront questions about the medical transparency of aging lawmakers.
For members of Congress and their staff, the immediate concern is whether the leadership change will affect access to medical services. The office provides care in a workplace where lawmakers frequently maintain demanding schedules and where rapid medical attention can be essential.
The anticipated inspector general report could provide the first detailed public account of the allegations against Monahan, the evidence investigators reviewed and the reasons behind the Navy’s decision.
Until those findings become available, the specific allegations, their potential consequences and Monahan’s response remain unresolved.
