Story perspectives

Trump Fires Navy Secretary, Names Acting Chief

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump dismissed Navy Secretary John Phelan, the first service-secretary removal in his second term, over the “Trump-class battleship” program.
He installed Undersecretary Hung Cao as acting secretary to accelerate shipbuilding.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the move supports a $377 billion Navy budget that earmarks $65.8 billion for new warships.
Senator Jack Reed called the firing troubling and said it indicates instability in the Defense Department under President Donald Trump.

History

Historical Context

The Goldwater–Nichols Act, signed by President Ronald Reagan on October 1 1986 and co-authored by Senator Barry Goldwater and Rep. Bill Nichols, passed the Senate 95-0 and centralized military advice in the Joint Chiefs chairman, ending service-chief operational control. It responded to inter-service failures in the 1980 Iran hostage rescue and the 1983 Grenada invasion. Moves to replace Navy leaders echo the shift, reviving debate over executive authority.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump dismissed Navy Secretary John Phelan, the first service-secretary removal in his second term, over the “Trump-class battleship” program.
He installed Undersecretary Hung Cao as acting secretary to accelerate shipbuilding.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the move supports a $377 billion Navy budget that earmarks $65.8 billion for new warships.
Senator Jack Reed called the firing troubling and said it indicates instability in the Defense Department under President Donald Trump.

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