Washington, April 24 -- US President Trump has ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan, making him the first service secretary removed during Trump's second term and the latest in a string of senior departures from a Pentagon that has witnessed more than 30 high-ranking military officers shown the door under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Phelan, a billionaire and Trump fundraiser who donated nearly USD 1 million to the president's 2024 campaign, was asked to resign following a meeting between Trump and Hegseth in which the president reportedly became convinced Phelan wasn't moving fast enough on shipbuilding.
His exit was effective immediately, with retired Navy Captain Hung Cao stepping in as acting secretary.
The firing caught many officia...