President Trump removed Navy Secretary John Phelan from his position, the latest in a series of high-level departures from the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The ouster follows reported disagreements over shipbuilding policy and the administration's broader agenda for the Navy.

Phelan, a financier and political donor who was confirmed to the post earlier this year, served for only a brief period before his dismissal. The move adds to a pattern of rapid turnover in senior defense civilian roles since Trump returned to office.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reported to have played a significant role in the personnel changes sweeping the Pentagon. The firings reflect ongoing friction between the White House and elements of the defense establishment over procurement strategy, shipbuilding timelines, and military readiness priorities.

The Navy has been a focal point of administration debates over modernization spending and fleet expansion. Trump has publicly called for accelerating shipbuilding as part of a broader push to strengthen U.S. naval power, and disagreements over how to achieve that goal have contributed to leadership instability at the department.

The White House has not issued a detailed public explanation for Phelan's removal. No permanent replacement has been announced as of the time of publication.