Trump Dismisses Navy Boss Phelan in a Shocking Pentagon Shake-Up
TL;DR
President Donald Trump abruptly fired Navy Secretary John Phelan—his billionaire donor and neighbor—after months of clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Navy’s speed on Trump’s “golden fleet” ship program, replacing him with Hung Cao as acting secretary. Trump cited conflicts with senior Pentagon leadership and a lack of progress, while Phelan’s high-profile ties to Trump and past scrutiny (Epstein flight manifests) drew additional attention as the administration pursues further Pentagon shake-ups amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
- Trump’s Humiliating Snub of Billionaire Buddy Navy Boss John Phelan Revealed The Daily Beast
- Trump’s Dreams for a Battleship Led to His Navy Secretary’s Ouster The New York Times
- Pentagon Pete’s Regime Hit by ‘Mean Girls’ Leak The Daily Beast
- Firing fears ripple through "Mean Girls" Pentagon Axios
- US Navy Secretary Phelan fired as naval blockade of Iran continues CNN
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