Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired after clashing with top leaders at the Pentagon, including over administration efforts to revive US shipbuilding, according to people familiar with the matter, making him the latest high-profile Pentagon departure amid the war in Iran.
Phelan was pushed out after butting heads with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg over President Donald Trump’s focus on what the administration has dubbed a new US “Golden Fleet,” according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private conversations. A White House official said Trump and Hegseth agreed new leadership ...
