The U.S. Senate confirmed John Phelan as Secretary of the Navy on a 62-30 vote, marking another confirmation victory for the Trump administration despite his lack of military experience.
Phelan, founder and chair of Rugger Management LLC, a Florida-based investment firm, secured bipartisan support for the position. He previously served as managing partner of MSD Capital, a private equity firm, and has been a major donor to Trump’s campaign.
Though Phelan has no prior military service, he argued his private-sector background uniquely qualifies him to address systemic failures within the Navy. “The U.S. Navy is at a crossroads,” Phelan told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, citing extended deployments, inadequate maintenance, cost overruns, and record suicide rates as unaddressed problems.
What Phelan Pledged to Address
Phelan identified shipbuilding as his immediate priority, noting the Navy’s programs are years behind schedule and facing major cost overruns on submarines and aircraft carriers. “I don’t think I could say shipbuilding enough times,” he stated during questioning about the Trump administration’s top goals.
The nominee committed to reviewing every Navy contract on day one and investigating why the department consistently fails audits. “I need to understand why the Navy cannot pass an audit,” Phelan said, pledging to deliver solutions quickly to lawmakers.
Phelan also addressed concerns over the Constellation-class frigate program, calling it “a mess” and vowing to evaluate its problems rapidly if confirmed. Senator Gary Peters, a retiring Democrat from Michigan whose state borders the Wisconsin shipyard building the frigate, pressed Phelan on the delayed program during the hearing.
Phelan’s Defense of His Credentials
Phelan acknowledged that some questioned why a businessman without military service should lead the Navy. “The Navy and the Marine Corps already possess extraordinary operational expertise within their ranks,” he said, adding that his role would be to utilize that expertise and drive innovation.
He cautioned that tradition, when it “suffocates adaptability, innovation, collaboration and trust, it erodes an organization’s ability to win.” Phelan argued his results-oriented approach would help the Navy move beyond the status quo and implement decisive reforms.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Politics team contributed to this report.
