President-elect Donald Trump has nominated John Phelan, a financier with no military experience, as the secretary of the Navy. Phelan, a major donor to Trump's campaign, lacks a background in military policy or defense contracting, raising concerns about his qualifications for overseeing the Navy's vast operations and budget. This appointment follows Trump's pattern of selecting loyalists and media figures for key positions, emphasizing disruption over traditional qualifications.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated John Phelan, a businessman with no military experience, as the next secretary of the Navy. If confirmed, Phelan would be the first non-veteran in 15 years to hold the position, overseeing a vast workforce and budget. Trump praised Phelan's business acumen and leadership skills, emphasizing his commitment to the 'America First' vision. Phelan's appointment contrasts with the recent trend of veterans holding the role, as 20 of the last 26 Navy secretaries were veterans.
Financier John Phelan has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the next Secretary of the Navy. Phelan, founder of Rugger Management LLC and former chairman of the firm managing Michael Dell's fortune, is also involved with the Spirit of America non-profit. Trump praised Phelan as a strong leader for the Navy, emphasizing his commitment to the "America First" vision. Phelan, a major Trump fundraiser, holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and Harvard Business School.
