John Phelan
Coverage of John Phelan in the Nexus archive.
- Female Navy officers say they fear a career cap after Hegseth cuts women from promotions list
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed nine Navy officers, including all three women, from a promotion list to one-star admiral, leading female officers to fear career limitations and politicization. The Navy had initially selected 31 officers for promotion, but Hegseth’s intervention resulted in no women being promoted to the rank this year, despite women comprising a quarter of Navy officers.
- Female Navy officers say they fear a career cap after Hegseth cuts women from promotions list
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed nine Navy officers, including all three women, from a promotion list to one-star admiral, leading female officers to fear career limitations and politicization. The Navy had initially selected 31 officers for promotion, but Hegseth's intervention resulted in no women being promoted to the rank this year despite their representation in midgrade ranks.
- Female Navy officers say they fear a career cap after Hegseth cuts women from promotions list
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed nine Navy officers, including all three women and two Black men, from a promotion list to one-star admiral, leading female officers to fear career caps and question future leadership opportunities. The Navy's typically merit-based process was disrupted, and the Pentagon claims promotions are based solely on qualifications without gender or race considerations.
- Trump shipbuilding plan mimics fired Navy secretary’s work
Former Navy Secretary John Phelan's draft shipbuilding proposal, circulated before his firing, was largely copied by his successor, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, in the Trump administration's official 2027 plan. The similarity raises questions about Phelan's dismissal, with Trump attributing it to conflicts over shipbuilding, while Cao emphasized a 'shipbuilding renaissance' to counter adversaries like China.
- Acting Navy secretary vows to build ships days after Phelan’s firing
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao pledged to prioritize shipbuilding after succeeding John Phelan, who was fired by President Trump amid efforts to accelerate naval construction. Cao outlined his focus on addressing service members' needs in a social media video.
- Newsmax host rips into Hegseth over Navy secretary’s firing
Newsmax host Greg Kelly criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the firing of Navy Secretary John Phelan, calling him a 'DESPICABLE guy' and 'Insecure FAKE' on social media. The incident is part of a series of abrupt departures from the Pentagon amid tensions with Iran.
- Firing fears ripple through "Mean Girls" Pentagon
Fears of mass firings at the Pentagon have intensified after the ousters of Navy Secretary John Phelan and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George under Trump 2.0, sparking speculation about further personnel shifts. The departures of at least 15 defense officials are attributed to political clashes and personal tensions, with Pentagon insiders comparing the turmoil to 'Mean Girls'-style drama amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East.
- Navy secretary’s removal points to Trump’s anxiety over shipbuilding
Navy Secretary John Phelan, a Trump fundraiser and billionaire, was abruptly fired after 13 months in office, reflecting President Trump's anxiety over his ambitious and divisive shipbuilding agenda. The removal highlights turbulence under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.
- Trump praises ousted Navy Secretary Phelan amid tensions with Pentagon leadership
Navy Secretary John Phelan was removed amid tensions with Pentagon leaders, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. President Trump publicly praised Phelan, despite internal frustrations over leadership and shipbuilding program execution.
- Trump praises ousted Navy Secretary Phelan amid tensions with Pentagon leadership
Navy Secretary John Phelan was ousted amid tensions with Pentagon leaders, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, over leadership and shipbuilding program concerns. President Donald Trump publicly praised Phelan for rebuilding the Navy, despite the removal, which aligns with a broader Cabinet shakeup and heightened regional tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Details on firing of Navy secretary amid Iran war, Strait of Hormuz blockade
John Phelan was fired as Navy secretary by the Pentagon amid tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The announcement was made by the Pentagon, as reported by CBS News' Ed O'Keefe.
- Who’s out in spring Trump administration shake-up?
The Trump administration experienced its first major personnel changes after 13 months of stability, with at least five Cabinet, intelligence, or military officials leaving since mid-March. The latest departure is Navy Secretary John Phelan, announced by the Pentagon.
- Trump’s navy secretary ousted over dispute about shipbuilding
Trump's navy secretary, John Phelan, was fired due to an internal dispute over shipbuilding and a poor working relationship with Pete Hegseth. The removal is unrelated to the recent Iranian seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Navy Sec. John Phelan fired amid Hormuz blockade
Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired during the Hormuz blockade. The dismissal occurred amid heightened tensions in the strategic Hormuz Strait region.
- Iran displays strength in Strait of Hormuz, White House insists ceasefire is still in place
Iran displayed military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while the White House affirmed a ceasefire remains in effect. The Pentagon announced the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan, as reported by CBS News journalists Ramy Inocencio and Aaron Navarro.
- Who is John Phelan, the US Navy Secretary fired by Pete Hegseth?
John Phelan, the US Navy Secretary, was fired by Pete Hegseth, highlighting turbulence in US military leadership amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.
- US Navy chief leaving post 'effective immediately', Pentagon says
US Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his post immediately, as stated by the Pentagon. He is the latest high-ranking military leader to depart the administration in recent months.
- Pentagon says Navy secretary is leaving, the latest departure of a top defense leader
The Pentagon announced that Navy Secretary John Phelan is departing immediately, with Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao set to become the acting secretary. The move marks another high-level leadership change in the defense department.
- Latest details as Iran hits ships in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan has been removed from his position, marking another high-level departure as the U.S. and Iran escalate tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The development comes amid ongoing strategic competition in the region.
- Latest details as Iran hits ships in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan has been removed immediately by the Pentagon amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The incident highlights ongoing geopolitical conflict in the region, as reported by Charlie D'Agata.
- Pentagon says navy secretary is leaving, marking another top leader’s departure
The Pentagon announced that Navy Secretary John Phelan, the navy's top civilian official, is leaving immediately. This follows Pete Hegseth's recent removal of the Army's top officer, marking another high-level leadership change in the military.
- Navy Secretary John Phelan to leave post immediately, Pentagon spokesperson says
Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his post immediately, as announced by the Pentagon. This occurs amid uncertainty seven and a half weeks into the war with Iran.
- Navy Secretary John Phelan exits administration
John Phelan, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy nominee for President Donald Trump, attended a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C. on February 27, 2025. The event marks a key step in his nomination process.
- Navy Secretary John Phelan leaving 'immediately,' Pentagon says
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan is leaving the administration immediately, as announced by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. The departure is effective without delay.
- John Phelan out as U.S. Navy secretary
John Phelan is stepping down as U.S. Navy secretary, a move that caught many by surprise and adds to a pattern of military officials leaving under the Trump administration. Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume the role in an acting capacity. Sources indicate Phelan clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite having a good rapport with President Trump.
- John Phelan out as Navy secretary in latest high-profile Trump admin. departure
Navy Secretary John Phelan has resigned from his position effective immediately, marking another high-profile exit from the Trump administration. The announcement was made by Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell.
- Pentagon says Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving, in latest departure of a top defense leader
The Pentagon announced that Secretary of the Navy John Phelan is leaving his position immediately. Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume the role of acting secretary. The departure follows Phelan's appearance at the Navy's annual conference in Washington, D.C.
- Navy secretary stepping down 13 months into job
Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his position after 13 months, as announced by the Pentagon. The Pentagon expressed gratitude for his service to the Department and the United States Navy.
- Navy warns US sailors to secure social media from Iran online threats
The U.S. Navy has issued a warning to sailors to secure their electronic devices and social media accounts due to increased online threats from Iran, linked to the U.S.-Israeli war. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan highlighted risks from 'adversary cyber actors' aiming to influence sailors and their families.
- Navy scraps Biden-era submarine contract as overhaul costs surge toward $3B
The U.S. Navy cancels a $3 billion overhaul contract for the USS Boise submarine due to cost overruns and strategic reassessment, redirecting funds to newer Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines. This decision highlights broader challenges in naval maintenance and competition with China's expanding fleet.
- Navy scraps Biden-era submarine contract as overhaul costs surge toward $3B
The U.S. Navy cancels a $3 billion overhaul of the USS Boise submarine due to escalating costs and limited strategic value, redirecting funds to newer Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines. The decision highlights broader challenges in naval maintenance and competition with China's expanding fleet.