US Navy Secretary John Phelan has been dismissed after months of reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg over the Navy’s modernization agenda and shipbuilding priorities, according to US officials.
Official Confirmation and Successor
His removal was confirmed in a Pentagon statement posted by spokesman Sean Parnell, who said Hegseth and Feinberg were “grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy.” Hung Cao, currently serving as Navy undersecretary, has been appointed acting Navy secretary.
Growing Disagreements
Officials familiar with the matter, cited by the Wall Street Journal, said the decision followed growing disagreements over the pace of implementing President Donald Trump’s naval priorities, particularly shipbuilding and fleet modernization. Pentagon sources said Hegseth and Feinberg felt Phelan was not moving quickly enough on key defense procurement goals.
The firing was reportedly communicated to Phelan in a phone call minutes before the announcement was made public. Before that, WSJ sources said that Phelan was on Capitol Hill meeting lawmakers regarding the Navy’s budget request.
Long-Standing Tensions
Tensions within the Pentagon had reportedly been building for months. Officials cited concerns over Phelan’s close communication with President Trump on naval issues, including direct exchanges on shipbuilding policy, which reportedly bypassed traditional Pentagon channels. Disagreements also emerged over major procurement proposals, including Phelan’s push for new naval programs, which Pentagon leadership felt had not been properly coordinated within the chain of command.
Broader Context
The leadership change comes amid broader friction within the US defense establishment, with Hegseth overseeing a series of senior military personnel changes in recent months. Phelan, who was sworn in as Navy secretary in March 2025, had previously faced internal pushback over his management style and policy approach, particularly regarding acquisition reforms and Navy leadership structure.
The dismissal occurs at a time when the Pentagon is advancing a major naval expansion and shipbuilding push under the current administration, with senior officials emphasizing faster delivery timelines and greater alignment with White House defense objectives.
