On March 24, 2025, the United States Senate confirmed John Phelan as the 79th Secretary of the Navy with a bipartisan 62-30 vote. Phelan, a businessman and art collector, is the founder of the private investment firm Rugger Management LLC and a Harvard Business School graduate. Despite lacking military experience, he is expected to bring his business acumen to address the Navy’s challenges in shipbuilding and maintenance
During his February 27 confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Phelan highlighted several systemic issues within the Navy, including extended deployments, inadequate maintenance, cost overruns, delayed shipbuilding, failed audits, subpar housing, and record-high suicide rates. He emphasized the need for decisive action and a results-oriented approach to tackle these challenges.
Phelan’s confirmation received support from all 51 Republican senators and 11 Democrats, including Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. This bipartisan backing is notable amid heightened political tensions between Democrats and the Trump administration
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth congratulated Phelan on his confirmation, expressing eagerness to collaborate in supporting warfighters. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) highlighted Phelan’s potential to build a lethal force to defend U.S. interests globally, while Navy veteran Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) praised Phelan’s entrepreneurial skills and fresh perspective. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) expressed confidence in Phelan’s ability to enhance the Navy’s lethality and care for sailors and Marines.Phelan is the first of President Trump’s service secretary nominees to be announced and the second to be confirmed, following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. He is expected to be sworn into office in the coming days.
At his confirmation hearing, Phelan addressed concerns about his lack of military experience by stating that the Navy and Marine Corps already possess extraordinary operational expertise. He sees his role as utilizing and strengthening that expertise, stepping outside the status quo, and taking decisive action with a results-oriented approach.
Phelan’s confirmation comes at a critical time for the Navy, which is currently without an official in its top uniformed leadership post following the dismissal of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti by President Trump last month. Phelan’s leadership will be pivotal in addressing the Navy’s challenges and implementing reforms to enhance its operational readiness and effectiveness.
In summary, John Phelan’s confirmation as Secretary of the Navy marks a significant development in the Trump administration’s efforts to revitalize the U.S. Navy. His business background and commitment to addressing systemic issues within the Navy are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the service’s leadership. The bipartisan support for his confirmation reflects a shared recognition of the need for effective leadership to navigate the complex challenges facing the Navy today.
