The firing of US Navy Secretary John Phelan is the latest in a reorganization of the US military during the war with Iran, now in its eighth week.
The Pentagon announced that Mr. Phelan would be retiring effective immediately.
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“On behalf of the Secretary of the Army and the Deputy Secretary of the Army, I would like to thank Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy,” said Pentagon Chief Press Secretary Sean Parnell. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
His dismissal comes at a critical moment as the US Navy tightens its blockade of Iranian ports and ships and maintains a strong presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes during peacetime.
The Pentagon did not provide an official reason for the firing, but reports said the decision was related to internal disputes, including tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Phelan’s firing is part of a broader pattern of layoffs and restructuring within the U.S. military under President Donald Trump’s administration, including during the current war.
So who is John Phelan, and what impact could his removal have on America’s military strategy?
Who is John Phelan?
As the U.S. Navy’s top civilian official, Phelan had many responsibilities, including overseeing recruitment, mobilization, and organization, as well as building and repairing ships and military equipment.
He was appointed as a political ally of President Trump in 2024, despite having no previous experience as a military or defense leader.
Before entering government, Mr. Phelan was a businessman and investment executive, and a major donor and fundraiser to the Republican Party. This is a fairly common history among Trump appointees and advisers. For example, the US president’s top two diplomatic negotiators are Steve Witkoff, a real estate businessman with no diplomatic experience, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
Phelan’s tenure quickly became controversial, according to Reuters. He faced criticism for moving too slowly on shipbuilding reforms and for strained relations with key figures at the Pentagon, including Mr. Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg.
Additionally, Phelan is reportedly undergoing an ethics investigation, which may have weakened his position within the administration.
Vice Secretary of the Navy Hung Kao, who was reported to have a difficult relationship with Phelan, became acting chief. Cao, 54, is a 25-year Navy veteran who previously ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
Democrats have criticized Phelan’s dismissal as “troubling.”
“We are concerned that this is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that has come to characterize the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth,” said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Who else has the Trump administration fired since the war with Iran began?
Mr. Phelan’s firing is the latest in a wave of senior military officials to be fired or resign during the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran, in addition to other military leaders since President Trump’s reelection.
One of the most notable firings was that of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George in the first week of April. George was appointed in 2023 under former US President Joe Biden.
Hegseth also fired the head of the Army Transformation and Training Command, the Army’s modernization unit, and the head of the Army chaplain, according to the report. The Pentagon has not confirmed their dismissal.
Why is Phelan’s removal important?
The 62-year-old’s removal comes amid an uneasy ceasefire with Iran, as the United States continues to transfer naval assets to the region.
The Navy is at the center of Trump’s efforts to limit Iranian oil exports and blockade Iranian ports aimed at putting economic pressure on Tehran, as the US president appears intent on ending a war that is deeply unpopular with many Americans.
However, with negotiations between the United States and Iran stalled, President Trump has not indicated any intention to halt the closure of the Strait of Hormuz or other naval operations.
Tensions have escalated in recent days after the US military seized an Iranian container ship. The US claimed it was attempting to sail from the Arabian Sea through the Strait of Hormuz to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
The Iranian government responded by describing the attack and hijacking as an “act of piracy.”
Iran subsequently seized two cargo ships and opened fire on another.
