Navy Secretary Fired After Clash Over Shipbuilding and Judge’s Order
Navy Secretary Fired After Clash Over Shipbuilding and Judge’s Order
Tensions rise at the Pentagon as Navy Secretary John Phelan is dismissed amid disputes with Defense Secretary Hegseth over shipbuilding and a federal judge's ruling.
Navy Secretary John Phelan was dismissed in a move described as a second major leadership shake-up at the Pentagon amid ongoing tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The firing followed reports of repeated clashes between the two over a range of issues, including how aggressively to pursue the Navy's shipbuilding program and whether to comply with a federal judge’s order in a dispute involving Senator Mark Kelly. The judge’s ruling, which blocked punishment for Kelly over a video he posted stressing constitutional duties, became a flashpoint in their negotiations about who sets policy and how aggressively to challenge court decisions. The leadership change comes as the administration navigates broader questions about naval modernization during the Iran war scenario.
