US Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired from his post, CNN reported.
The Pentagon announced that Phelan was leaving the administration with “immediate effect“. According to administration sources and media outlets such as CNN and The New York Times, he was fired after months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The main reason is a disagreement with Hegseth over shipbuilding reforms and the implementation of the initiative for a new “Golden Fleet“. It is also stated that President Donald Trump and Hegseth agreed that “new leadership“ is needed in the Navy, writes The Guardian
The current Undersecretary of the Navy, Hung Kao, a Navy veteran, has been appointed acting secretary, WSJ reported.
The resignation comes at a critical moment as the US Navy conducts a blockade of Iranian ports during a temporary ceasefire in the war with Iran, NPR notes.
Phelan held the post for 13 months, becoming the first Navy secretary in 15 years without prior military experience.
The dismissed minister had a strained relationship with Pentagon chief Pete Hegsett, Axios reported, citing a source.
„Phelan didn't understand that he wasn't the boss. "His job was to follow orders, not do what he thought was best," the source said.
According to Axios, Phelan had a good relationship with US President Donald Trump. However, Hegseth believed that the Navy Secretary too often bypassed him by directly contacting the US leader. The article notes that Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence is located next to Phelan's estate.