WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly removed Navy Secretary John Phelan from his post Tuesday, marking the latest high-level shakeup inside the Pentagon as the United States continues enforcing a sweeping naval blockade against Iran.
Officials confirmed Phelan’s departure was effective immediately. While the Pentagon provided no official reason, multiple reports point to a combination of strategic disagreements and internal power struggles:
- Slow Shipbuilding Reforms: Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg were reportedly frustrated by the pace of shipbuilding reforms under Phelan’s leadership.
- Bypassing the Chain of Command: Phelan, a prominent donor with a residence near President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, often communicated directly with the president, a move Hegseth reportedly viewed as undermining his authority.
- Strategic Disagreements: Phelan supported a multibillion-dollar “Trump-class” battleship program, which Hegseth and Feinberg reportedly saw as a distraction from priorities such as submarines, uncrewed systems, and software-driven warfare.
- Internal Pentagon Rifts: Tensions had been building for months, including the removal of Phelan’s chief of staff and disputes over oversight of key programs such as submarines.
The dismissal comes at a critical moment in the standoff with Iran, as U.S. naval forces continue intercepting vessels and enforcing pressure on Iranian ports. Under Secretary Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy combat veteran, has been named acting Navy secretary.
Phelan’s ouster appears to have caught many officials off guard. Just a day earlier, he had been publicly discussing Navy priorities with reporters.
The timing — amid one of the most aggressive maritime operations in decades — has raised concerns about leadership stability during a high-stakes geopolitical confrontation.
The blockade, ordered earlier this month, targets vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. U.S. forces are authorized to intercept, redirect, or seize ships attempting to bypass restrictions.
Recent actions have included disabling vessels suspected of violating the blockade and boarding ships linked to Iranian trade networks.
Additional reporting suggests Phelan’s removal is part of broader internal tensions involving Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
Officials familiar with the situation said Hegseth’s team had long been at odds with both Driscoll and Phelan.
Phelan’s removal follows the recent firing of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. Reports indicate George may have been caught in the crossfire of the Hegseth-Driscoll feud, either as an ally of Driscoll or as a mediator.
Driscoll, a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Hegseth. While Hegseth cannot directly remove Driscoll, reports suggest he has moved against perceived allies and independent-minded leaders, including Phelan.
Both Driscoll and Phelan have clashed with Hegseth over efforts to reshape Pentagon leadership, including blocking promotions and removing senior officers.
While the official rationale for Phelan’s dismissal centers on naval strategy, insiders view the move as part of a broader effort by Hegseth to consolidate control amid ongoing internal disputes.
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