The resignation of U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has been attributed to ongoing tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.
Sources cited in the report indicate that disagreements between Pete Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg, were partly linked to Phelan’s close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. Phelan was reportedly in frequent contact with Trump, including discussions held at the president’s private Mar-a-Lago club, even on matters such as naval shipbuilding.
John Phelan, a businessman and co-founder of several investment firms, was confirmed by the Senate on March 25, 2025, and subsequently sworn into office. In his role, he oversaw logistical support for naval forces and managed financial resources within the U.S. Navy. Like his counterparts in the Army and Air Force, the Navy Secretary is not a member of the presidential cabinet.
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed on Wednesday that Phelan has stepped down from his position with immediate effect.
The development highlights internal divisions within the U.S. defense leadership, particularly amid broader political dynamics surrounding the administration.
