Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired by President Trump on Wednesday after struggling to deliver the first battleship by 2028, a timeline deemed nearly impossible. The move marks the first time a service secretary has been forced out of the Defense Department during this administration.
Phelan's dismissal comes amid a broader shake-up at the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired or sidelined more than two dozen generals and admirals over the past year. The churn has alarmed top Republican and Democratic members of Congress, who are concerned about the impact on military readiness during ongoing wars.
The Navy's battleship program was a key priority for Trump, who boasted about its capabilities at a news conference in December. However, Phelan's inability to deliver the ships on time reportedly frustrated the president, leading to his termination.
No further details were provided by the Pentagon regarding Phelan's dismissal, and he could not immediately be reached for comment.