On April 22, 2026, Pete Hegseth removed Navy Secretary John Phelan effective immediately at the Pentagon. This move follows the dismissal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George earlier in April.
Hegseth’s consolidation of power includes significant decisions on weapons procurement and top-officer promotions. His actions have alarmed many observers, who see a shift from military control to political dominance.
Phelan alleged that Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg executed a “land grab” over submarine and shipbuilding decisions. He claimed this maneuver was motivated by their desire for greater influence.
Within minutes of Phelan’s complaints reaching the front office, he was ousted. An official with direct knowledge stated, “It took literally three minutes for his s***talking to get back to the front office.”
Hegseth’s actions have reportedly left him “more confident than ever in his job.” He has effectively stripped military uniforms of power, transferring authority entirely to political appointees.
Currently, Hung Cao serves as Acting Secretary of the Navy following Phelan’s removal. Observers are concerned about the implications for military leadership.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized that Hegseth aims to restore the warrior ethos and refocus the military on lethality and combat readiness. He intends to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion ideology from military practices.
This consolidation of power by Hegseth reflects a broader trend seen during the Trump administration, where political influence increasingly permeates military leadership roles.
The full impact of these changes is yet to be determined as further developments unfold at the Pentagon.
