Story perspectives

Trump Fires Navy Secretary Over $1.5 T Battleship Plan

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump dismissed Navy Secretary John Phelan, the first removal in his second term over the “Trump-class” battleship, and appointed Under Secretary Hung Cao as acting secretary.
Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Stephen Feinberg said Phelan’s handling of program was unsatisfactory, prompting removal.
The $1.5 trillion budget earmarks $377.5 billion for Navy’s “Trump-class” battleship and includes Trump’s praise for Phelan and lawmakers’ warning the change could destabilize Navy operations amid Iran.

History

Historical Context

Donald Trump's 2024 removal of Navy Secretary John Phelan and appointment of Hung Cao echoes earlier defense shake-ups, such as Donald Rumsfeld’s 2006 resignation amid mounting criticism of Iraq-war spending and Robert Gates’s 2009 budget overhaul that cut conventional programs while expanding special-forces funding. These episodes illustrate a recurring pattern of political accountability driving leadership changes when large-scale procurement draws scrutiny.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump dismissed Navy Secretary John Phelan, the first removal in his second term over the “Trump-class” battleship, and appointed Under Secretary Hung Cao as acting secretary.
Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Stephen Feinberg said Phelan’s handling of program was unsatisfactory, prompting removal.
The $1.5 trillion budget earmarks $377.5 billion for Navy’s “Trump-class” battleship and includes Trump’s praise for Phelan and lawmakers’ warning the change could destabilize Navy operations amid Iran.

1 / 2