Pete Hegseth fired Navy Secretary John Phelan with no official explanation amid a fragile Iranian port blockade.Phelanâs dismissal stemmed from a poor relationship with Hegseth and slow progress on shipbuilding reforms.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of" the Phelan issue after a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday.Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran, will serve as acting Navy secretary.Phelanâs removal is the 34th firing by Hegseth, deepening concerns over Pentagon instability.
Phelanâs dismissal stemmed from a poor relationship with Hegseth and slow progress on shipbuilding reforms.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of" the Phelan issue after a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday.Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran, will serve as acting Navy secretary.Phelanâs removal is the 34th firing by Hegseth, deepening concerns over Pentagon instability.
Trump told Hegseth to "take care of" the Phelan issue after a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday.Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran, will serve as acting Navy secretary.Phelanâs removal is the 34th firing by Hegseth, deepening concerns over Pentagon instability.
Undersecretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran, will serve as acting Navy secretary.Phelanâs removal is the 34th firing by Hegseth, deepening concerns over Pentagon instability.
Phelanâs removal is the 34th firing by Hegseth, deepening concerns over Pentagon instability.
The Pentagon abruptly fired Navy Secretary John Phelan on Wednesday with no official explanation, removing the service's top civilian leader even as American warships enforce a critical blockade of Iranian ports during a fragile ceasefire.The dismissal came as a surprise to many and reportedly stemmed from a poor relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Phelan did not get along with Hegseth but had a good relationship with President Donald Trump, according to sources cited by theAxiosnews portal."Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a source toldAxios.Tensions mount over shipbuildingMultiple sources told CNN there was tension for months between Phelan and Hegseth. The defense secretary believed Phelan was moving too slowly on implementing shipbuilding reforms and was irked by Phelan's direct communication with Trump, which Hegseth viewed as an attempt to bypass him.Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg also wanted to take control of major responsibilities for shipbuilding and Navy acquisitions, a job that would typically be within Phelan's purview.The firing came the same week Phelan addressed the Navy League's annual Sea Air Space conference just outside Washington. He had spoken with reporters Tuesday about the future of the Navy and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet initiative.Trump's role in the firingAccording to a senior White House official, the issues came to a head during a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday between Trump and Hegseth. Trump, frustrated by slow shipbuilding progress himself, became convinced Phelan needed to be replaced.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of it" because Phelan is subordinate to the defense secretary, the official said. Hegseth sent a message to Phelan informing him he needed to resign or be fired.The official said Phelan did not appear to believe Trump was aware of the message and began phoning White House officials asking if they had heard he had been told to resign. Phelan then came to the White House grounds, asking officials for information, before Trump met with him briefly and confirmed he was out of a job.New acting secretary steps inUndersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting head of the Navy. The 54-year-old is a 25-year Navy veteran and former special operations officer who served with SEAL teams in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain.Cao previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in physics with fellowships atMITandHarvard University.Since becoming Navy undersecretary, Cao has championed returning to duty service members who refused a Biden-era mandate to take the COVID-19 vaccine.Phelan's controversial backgroundPhelan had no prior military or defense leadership experience before Trump nominated him in late 2024. He was a businessman and investment executive, as well as a major Republican donor and fundraiser.CNN previously reported that Phelan's name appeared on a flight manifest showing he flew in 2006 on the plane of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A close friend of Phelan's said he had been invited to fly on the plane by Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne, who died in 2021. The friend said Phelan did not know they would be flying on Epstein's plane until they arrived and did not speak with Epstein again.Pattern of dismissals continuesPhelan's removal marks the 34th armed forces official that Hegseth has fired since taking over the Pentagon. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Democrats have criticized the removal. "I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth," said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.Critical timing for Navy operationsPhelan's firing comes as the Navy enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and maintains a heavy presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas passes during peacetime. U.S. forces have redirected 31 vessels to return to port and have boarded two ships.The Navy has three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the Middle East. The Trump administration says all armed forces are poised to resume combat operations against Iran should the ceasefire expire.His firing illustrates the volatile nature of military leadership under a president and defense secretary determined to reshape the Pentagon in their own image. For a Navy officer enforcing a blockade against Iran, the message is clear: Move fast, follow orders, and never forget who is in charge.Sources for this article include:SputnikGlobe.comAlJazeera.comCNN.comAPNews.com
The dismissal came as a surprise to many and reportedly stemmed from a poor relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Phelan did not get along with Hegseth but had a good relationship with President Donald Trump, according to sources cited by theAxiosnews portal."Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a source toldAxios.Tensions mount over shipbuildingMultiple sources told CNN there was tension for months between Phelan and Hegseth. The defense secretary believed Phelan was moving too slowly on implementing shipbuilding reforms and was irked by Phelan's direct communication with Trump, which Hegseth viewed as an attempt to bypass him.Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg also wanted to take control of major responsibilities for shipbuilding and Navy acquisitions, a job that would typically be within Phelan's purview.The firing came the same week Phelan addressed the Navy League's annual Sea Air Space conference just outside Washington. He had spoken with reporters Tuesday about the future of the Navy and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet initiative.Trump's role in the firingAccording to a senior White House official, the issues came to a head during a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday between Trump and Hegseth. Trump, frustrated by slow shipbuilding progress himself, became convinced Phelan needed to be replaced.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of it" because Phelan is subordinate to the defense secretary, the official said. Hegseth sent a message to Phelan informing him he needed to resign or be fired.The official said Phelan did not appear to believe Trump was aware of the message and began phoning White House officials asking if they had heard he had been told to resign. Phelan then came to the White House grounds, asking officials for information, before Trump met with him briefly and confirmed he was out of a job.New acting secretary steps inUndersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting head of the Navy. The 54-year-old is a 25-year Navy veteran and former special operations officer who served with SEAL teams in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain.Cao previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in physics with fellowships atMITandHarvard University.Since becoming Navy undersecretary, Cao has championed returning to duty service members who refused a Biden-era mandate to take the COVID-19 vaccine.Phelan's controversial backgroundPhelan had no prior military or defense leadership experience before Trump nominated him in late 2024. He was a businessman and investment executive, as well as a major Republican donor and fundraiser.CNN previously reported that Phelan's name appeared on a flight manifest showing he flew in 2006 on the plane of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A close friend of Phelan's said he had been invited to fly on the plane by Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne, who died in 2021. The friend said Phelan did not know they would be flying on Epstein's plane until they arrived and did not speak with Epstein again.Pattern of dismissals continuesPhelan's removal marks the 34th armed forces official that Hegseth has fired since taking over the Pentagon. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Democrats have criticized the removal. "I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth," said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.Critical timing for Navy operationsPhelan's firing comes as the Navy enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and maintains a heavy presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas passes during peacetime. U.S. forces have redirected 31 vessels to return to port and have boarded two ships.The Navy has three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the Middle East. The Trump administration says all armed forces are poised to resume combat operations against Iran should the ceasefire expire.His firing illustrates the volatile nature of military leadership under a president and defense secretary determined to reshape the Pentagon in their own image. For a Navy officer enforcing a blockade against Iran, the message is clear: Move fast, follow orders, and never forget who is in charge.Sources for this article include:SputnikGlobe.comAlJazeera.comCNN.comAPNews.com
The dismissal came as a surprise to many and reportedly stemmed from a poor relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Phelan did not get along with Hegseth but had a good relationship with President Donald Trump, according to sources cited by theAxiosnews portal."Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a source toldAxios.Tensions mount over shipbuildingMultiple sources told CNN there was tension for months between Phelan and Hegseth. The defense secretary believed Phelan was moving too slowly on implementing shipbuilding reforms and was irked by Phelan's direct communication with Trump, which Hegseth viewed as an attempt to bypass him.Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg also wanted to take control of major responsibilities for shipbuilding and Navy acquisitions, a job that would typically be within Phelan's purview.The firing came the same week Phelan addressed the Navy League's annual Sea Air Space conference just outside Washington. He had spoken with reporters Tuesday about the future of the Navy and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet initiative.Trump's role in the firingAccording to a senior White House official, the issues came to a head during a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday between Trump and Hegseth. Trump, frustrated by slow shipbuilding progress himself, became convinced Phelan needed to be replaced.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of it" because Phelan is subordinate to the defense secretary, the official said. Hegseth sent a message to Phelan informing him he needed to resign or be fired.The official said Phelan did not appear to believe Trump was aware of the message and began phoning White House officials asking if they had heard he had been told to resign. Phelan then came to the White House grounds, asking officials for information, before Trump met with him briefly and confirmed he was out of a job.New acting secretary steps inUndersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting head of the Navy. The 54-year-old is a 25-year Navy veteran and former special operations officer who served with SEAL teams in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain.Cao previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in physics with fellowships atMITandHarvard University.Since becoming Navy undersecretary, Cao has championed returning to duty service members who refused a Biden-era mandate to take the COVID-19 vaccine.Phelan's controversial backgroundPhelan had no prior military or defense leadership experience before Trump nominated him in late 2024. He was a businessman and investment executive, as well as a major Republican donor and fundraiser.CNN previously reported that Phelan's name appeared on a flight manifest showing he flew in 2006 on the plane of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A close friend of Phelan's said he had been invited to fly on the plane by Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne, who died in 2021. The friend said Phelan did not know they would be flying on Epstein's plane until they arrived and did not speak with Epstein again.Pattern of dismissals continuesPhelan's removal marks the 34th armed forces official that Hegseth has fired since taking over the Pentagon. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Democrats have criticized the removal. "I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth," said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.Critical timing for Navy operationsPhelan's firing comes as the Navy enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and maintains a heavy presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas passes during peacetime. U.S. forces have redirected 31 vessels to return to port and have boarded two ships.The Navy has three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the Middle East. The Trump administration says all armed forces are poised to resume combat operations against Iran should the ceasefire expire.His firing illustrates the volatile nature of military leadership under a president and defense secretary determined to reshape the Pentagon in their own image. For a Navy officer enforcing a blockade against Iran, the message is clear: Move fast, follow orders, and never forget who is in charge.Sources for this article include:SputnikGlobe.comAlJazeera.comCNN.comAPNews.com
"Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a source toldAxios.Tensions mount over shipbuildingMultiple sources told CNN there was tension for months between Phelan and Hegseth. The defense secretary believed Phelan was moving too slowly on implementing shipbuilding reforms and was irked by Phelan's direct communication with Trump, which Hegseth viewed as an attempt to bypass him.Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg also wanted to take control of major responsibilities for shipbuilding and Navy acquisitions, a job that would typically be within Phelan's purview.The firing came the same week Phelan addressed the Navy League's annual Sea Air Space conference just outside Washington. He had spoken with reporters Tuesday about the future of the Navy and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet initiative.Trump's role in the firingAccording to a senior White House official, the issues came to a head during a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday between Trump and Hegseth. Trump, frustrated by slow shipbuilding progress himself, became convinced Phelan needed to be replaced.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of it" because Phelan is subordinate to the defense secretary, the official said. Hegseth sent a message to Phelan informing him he needed to resign or be fired.The official said Phelan did not appear to believe Trump was aware of the message and began phoning White House officials asking if they had heard he had been told to resign. Phelan then came to the White House grounds, asking officials for information, before Trump met with him briefly and confirmed he was out of a job.New acting secretary steps inUndersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting head of the Navy. The 54-year-old is a 25-year Navy veteran and former special operations officer who served with SEAL teams in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain.Cao previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in physics with fellowships atMITandHarvard University.Since becoming Navy undersecretary, Cao has championed returning to duty service members who refused a Biden-era mandate to take the COVID-19 vaccine.Phelan's controversial backgroundPhelan had no prior military or defense leadership experience before Trump nominated him in late 2024. He was a businessman and investment executive, as well as a major Republican donor and fundraiser.CNN previously reported that Phelan's name appeared on a flight manifest showing he flew in 2006 on the plane of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A close friend of Phelan's said he had been invited to fly on the plane by Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne, who died in 2021. The friend said Phelan did not know they would be flying on Epstein's plane until they arrived and did not speak with Epstein again.Pattern of dismissals continuesPhelan's removal marks the 34th armed forces official that Hegseth has fired since taking over the Pentagon. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Democrats have criticized the removal. "I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth," said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.Critical timing for Navy operationsPhelan's firing comes as the Navy enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and maintains a heavy presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas passes during peacetime. U.S. forces have redirected 31 vessels to return to port and have boarded two ships.The Navy has three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the Middle East. The Trump administration says all armed forces are poised to resume combat operations against Iran should the ceasefire expire.His firing illustrates the volatile nature of military leadership under a president and defense secretary determined to reshape the Pentagon in their own image. For a Navy officer enforcing a blockade against Iran, the message is clear: Move fast, follow orders, and never forget who is in charge.Sources for this article include:SputnikGlobe.comAlJazeera.comCNN.comAPNews.com
"Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," a source toldAxios.Tensions mount over shipbuildingMultiple sources told CNN there was tension for months between Phelan and Hegseth. The defense secretary believed Phelan was moving too slowly on implementing shipbuilding reforms and was irked by Phelan's direct communication with Trump, which Hegseth viewed as an attempt to bypass him.Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg also wanted to take control of major responsibilities for shipbuilding and Navy acquisitions, a job that would typically be within Phelan's purview.The firing came the same week Phelan addressed the Navy League's annual Sea Air Space conference just outside Washington. He had spoken with reporters Tuesday about the future of the Navy and its major investments, including the Golden Fleet initiative.Trump's role in the firingAccording to a senior White House official, the issues came to a head during a White House meeting on shipbuilding Wednesday between Trump and Hegseth. Trump, frustrated by slow shipbuilding progress himself, became convinced Phelan needed to be replaced.Trump told Hegseth to "take care of it" because Phelan is subordinate to the defense secretary, the official said. Hegseth sent a message to Phelan informing him he needed to resign or be fired.The official said Phelan did not appear to believe Trump was aware of the message and began phoning White House officials asking if they had heard he had been told to resign. Phelan then came to the White House grounds, asking officials for information, before Trump met with him briefly and confirmed he was out of a job.New acting secretary steps inUndersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting head of the Navy. The 54-year-old is a 25-year Navy veteran and former special operations officer who served with SEAL teams in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain.Cao previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in physics with fellowships atMITandHarvard University.Since becoming Navy undersecretary, Cao has championed returning to duty service members who refused a Biden-era mandate to take the COVID-19 vaccine.Phelan's controversial backgroundPhelan had no prior military or defense leadership experience before Trump nominated him in late 2024. He was a businessman and investment executive, as well as a major Republican donor and fundraiser.CNN previously reported that Phelan's name appeared on a flight manifest showing he flew in 2006 on the plane of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A close friend of Phelan's said he had been invited to fly on the plane by Bear Stearns CEO Jimmy Cayne, who died in 2021. The friend said Phelan did not know they would be flying on Epstein's plane until they arrived and did not speak with Epstein again.Pattern of dismissals continuesPhelan's removal marks the 34th armed forces official that Hegseth has fired since taking over the Pentagon. The firings began in February 2025, when Hegseth removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the No. 2 leader at the Air Force. Trump also fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Democrats have criticized the removal. "I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth," said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.Critical timing for Navy operationsPhelan's firing comes as the Navy enforces a blockade on Iranian ports and maintains a heavy presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas passes during peacetime. U.S. forces have redirected 31 vessels to return to port and have boarded two ships.The Navy has three aircraft carriers deployed in or heading to the Middle East. The Trump administration says all armed forces are poised to resume combat operations against Iran should the ceasefire expire.His firing illustrates the volatile nature of military leadership under a president and defense secretary determined to reshape the Pentagon in their own image. For a Navy officer enforcing a blockade against Iran, the message is clear: Move fast, follow orders, and never forget who is in charge.Sources for this article include:SputnikGlobe.comAlJazeera.comCNN.comAPNews.com
Source: NaturalNews.com
