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Hegseth Dismisses Navy Secretary Amid Iran War Overhaul

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Navy Secretary John Phelan on April 23, 2026, ending his 13-month tenure.
Phelan refused to ignore a judge’s ruling protecting Senator Mark Kelly’s First Amendment rights and bypassed Hegseth with his battleship pitch to President Donald Trump, raising friction.
Hegseth’s dismissal of Phelan follows his removal of 34 senior officers, including four-star generals and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, during the Iran war.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Navy Secretary John Phelan on April 23, 2026, ending his 13-month tenure.
Phelan refused to ignore a judge’s ruling protecting Senator Mark Kelly’s First Amendment rights and bypassed Hegseth with his battleship pitch to President Donald Trump, raising friction.
Hegseth’s dismissal of Phelan follows his removal of 34 senior officers, including four-star generals and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, during the Iran war.