Pentagon chief in fact fired Navy secretary over disagreements — Axios

Lead

US Navy Secretary John Phelan has departed his post effective immediately, according to a statement from chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, as reported by TASS. While the official announcement did not cite a reason, multiple sources have pointed to a months-long feud between Phelan and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that culminated in Phelan's forced removal.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, citing Axios and The Wall Street Journal, described a situation in which Phelan's dismissal resulted from accumulated grievances at the Pentagon's highest levels. The reporting indicates that Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg, were particularly unhappy with Phelan's unusually close relationship with President Donald Trump. According to The Wall Street Journal, as relayed by TASS, Phelan frequently communicated with Trump at the president's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, and at times discussed shipbuilding plans with him directly—bypassing the traditional chain of command through the Pentagon.

Axios, also cited by TASS, quoted military sources saying that Hegseth believed Phelan was insubordinate because he reported directly to the president. One source reportedly said: "Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given."

The official resignation announcement came from Sean Parnell, who said Phelan was "departing the administration, effective immediately" and that Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao would assume the role of acting secretary. Neither Parnell nor the Pentagon provided an explanation for the early departure at the time of the announcement.

Key Claims

• Phelan resigned or was dismissed effective April 23, according to the Pentagon spokesperson.
• Tensions between Phelan and Hegseth had been building for months, per The Wall Street Journal's sourcing.
• Phelan's direct line to Trump, including discussions at Mar-a-Lago, reportedly annoyed Pentagon leadership.
• An incident last fall—when Phelan presented a new warship idea directly to Trump without going through Hegseth—was a particular flashpoint, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
• Hung Cao, the Navy undersecretary, will serve as acting secretary.

Perspectives

Official Pentagon stance: The Pentagon characterized the move as a resignation, effective immediately, without elaborating on the cause.

Media reporting (Axios and The Wall Street Journal): Both outlets, as cited by TASS, frame the departure as a dismissal driven by insubordination and a breakdown in the relationship between Phelan and Hegseth. The reports emphasize Phelan's perceived failure to respect the chain of command and his habit of going directly to the president.

Phelan's relationship with Trump: Multiple sources note that Phelan had a warm relationship with President Trump, which may have influenced his decision-making and exacerbated tensions. However, neither Hegseth nor the White House has publicly commented on the specifics of the disagreement.

Background

John Phelan, a founder of several investment firms, was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of the Navy on March 25, 2025. In that role, he oversaw logistics and financial resources for naval forces. The secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are not members of the presidential cabinet, which places them under the authority of the Defense Secretary. Phelan's tenure lasted barely a month, marking one of the shortest for a service secretary in recent history.