The Secretary of the Navy was just fired today by War Secretary Pete Hegseth after he’d been clashing with Hegseth Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg since last year.
President Trump signed off on the firing, per protocol, when he was asked about it by Hegseth.
Here’s more via NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer:
I’m learning more about the firing of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan which wasn’t as abrupt as it might seem.
A U.S. official tells me that this is something that has been brewing between Phelan, Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg for months now.
Phelan has been at odds with the Dep. Sec and Sec. since last year.
“He’s been reluctant to make the changes within the Navy necessary to modernize the service,” the official told me @NewsNation
The official adds that Phelan struggled to get the Navy to increase shipbuilding numbers.
He did not recognize the chain of command at the department and did not run it through the leadership of the department, I’m told.
I was at Mar-a-Lago in December when Phelan joined President Trump for the announcement of two new “Trump-class” battleships. The first in a “Golden Fleet” of Navy ships.
“He was not making progress, so the department decided to make a change,” the official added.
Based on protocol the Secretary would have to get the President’s approval to dismiss him.
This all comes during an active conflict with Iran and as President Trump’s naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place.
The U.S.S. George Bush aircraft carrier has been deployed by the U.S. Navy toward Iran. She is set to arrive in the coming days.
The U.S.S. Ford is likely to leave the region.
The U.S. military remains “postured and ready to go” whenever needed.
Everyone is in “wait and see” mode.
I’m also told the Secretary consulted with the President and he signed off on Phelan’s dismissal.
Which based on protocol, the secretary would have had to get the president’s approval to dismiss him.