Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Sophie Clark

How fired Navy secretary John Phelan desperately tried to hold onto his job

John Phelan Navy Pete Hegseth Donald Trump
  • Navy Secretary John Phelan was removed from his post after being asked to resign by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
  • Phelan reportedly spent Wednesday night at the White House, attempting to directly ask President Donald Trump to retain his position, but left without success.
  • The removal is linked to Hegseth and Trump's belief that Phelan was not sufficiently committed to building Trump's 'Golden Fleet' of battleships, aimed at countering China's naval expansion.
  • Insiders suggest Phelan's close relationship with Trump, often bypassing Hegseth, contributed to his dismissal, with Hegseth reportedly icing him out of top meetings.
  • Phelan's departure is part of a broader re-configuration of top navy positions by Hegseth, who has also removed other high-ranking military leaders recently.

IN FULL

Sacked Navy secretary refused to leave post until Trump told him direct

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Why were Clavicular’s YouTube channels suddenly terminated without warning? What YouTube found in its review
Braden Clavicular saw both his YouTube channels removed without warning, citing confusion and frustration. YouTube stated the action followed “severe or repeated violations” of its guidelines. Fellow creator Atozy suggested the ban may relate to alleged promotion of peptides to young audiences. While Clavicular denied wrongdoing, the incident highlights YouTube’s…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Russell Brand says he had ‘exploitative’ consensual sex with girl, 16, at height of his fame
Brand, who will be tried in October over allegations of rape and sexual assault, tells podcast he slept with 16-year-old when he was 30
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
School gardens help students learn science and connect with agriculture – but making them happen isn’t easy
I used to teach high school science in Oklahoma, and one day I brought in a stalk from a cotton plant with bolls of cotton still attached. Students asked me why I glued cotton balls to a stick.
The Conversation
The Conversation
‘I felt like I’d stumbled on a cheat code’: what is the burned haystack dating method?
Being on dating apps can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack – so Dr Jennie Young devised a technique to burn it down and find better matches
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Jonathan Van Ness addresses Queer Eye cast tensions and calls show’s end ‘bittersweet’
The final season of the popular reality series was released earlier this year with controversy surrounding cast member Karamo Brown
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Harry Styles 'Completely Smitten' with Zoë Kravitz: Engaged Rumours Emerged After 8 Months of Dating
Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles spark engagement rumors after being spotted in London, with Kravitz wearing a striking diamond ring. Sources claim the couple is officially engaged.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play