New Navy Secretary Confirmed in 62-30 Vote

Empty U.S. Senate hearing room with wooden furniture.

Trump donor John Phelan confirmed as Navy Secretary despite lack of military experience, bringing business acumen to tackle systemic problems in the naval service.

Key Insights

The Senate voted 62-30 to confirm John Phelan, with support from both Republicans and Democrats despite concerns about his lack of military background.
Phelan plans to leverage his business expertise to address Navy challenges including failed audits, cost overruns, and shipbuilding delays.
As Navy Secretary, Phelan will oversee more than 1 million personnel and manage a $250 billion budget.
Phelan criticized the previous administration’s lowering of military eligibility standards and emphasized maintaining high recruitment quality.

Business Leader Takes the Helm of Naval Operations

The US Senate has confirmed John Phelan as the 79th Secretary of the Navy in a bipartisan 62-30 vote. Phelan, founder and chair of Rugger Management LLC and former managing partner at MSD Capital, brings extensive business experience but no prior military service to the role. His confirmation was supported by 51 Republicans and 11 Democrats, including key members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Phelan has been a significant supporter of President Trump, donating nearly $1 million to Trump’s fundraising committee and other Republican campaigns, and hosting high-profile fundraisers for the president.

Congratulations John Phelan on being Confirmed as the 79th Secretary of the Navy!

Looking forward to supporting our warfighters together. pic.twitter.com/zWDh3J5TKK

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 24, 2025

During his confirmation hearing, Phelan addressed concerns about his lack of military experience head-on. He emphasized that his business background could be an asset in addressing long-standing challenges facing the Navy. The new Secretary will oversee both the Navy and Marine Corps, managing over one million personnel and a $250 billion budget at a time when the service faces numerous operational and administrative hurdles.

Confronting “Systemic Failures” in Naval Operations

Phelan has been forthright about the challenges he sees in the Navy’s current operations. During his confirmation process, he painted a stark picture of a service facing multiple crises that require urgent attention and fresh thinking. His candid assessment of the Navy’s problems resonated with many lawmakers who believe that traditional approaches have failed to address persistent issues plaguing the service.

Phelan has already outlined plans to review existing Navy contracts and focus on achieving a clean audit – something the service has consistently failed to accomplish. He has also highlighted the need to address shipbuilding struggles, improve maintenance schedules, and tackle quality-of-life issues for service members and their families. These priorities align with concerns repeatedly raised by military leadership and congressional oversight committees.

Mixed Reactions to a Non-Traditional Appointment

Phelan’s nomination has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers and military experts. Some Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest given Phelan’s financial investments in defense contractors. Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed pointedly noted Phelan’s lack of military experience during confirmation hearings, questioning whether a business background adequately prepares him for the complex challenges of leading a military service.

However, other lawmakers see potential benefits in Phelan’s non-traditional background. Senator Tim Kaine expressed optimism that a fresh perspective could benefit a Navy struggling with operational challenges. Phelan’s supporters point to his service on the board of Spirit of America, a nonprofit that collaborates with the Department of Defense, as evidence of his commitment to military causes. The new Secretary has also emphasized his intention to strengthen recruitment standards, criticizing previous decisions to lower eligibility requirements and stressing the importance of maintaining high standards to ensure effective warfighting capabilities.

Leadership During Transition

Phelan takes control of the Navy during a significant leadership transition. The service is currently without a Chief of Naval Operations following the dismissal of Admiral Lisa Franchetti. This leadership gap presents both challenges and opportunities for the new Secretary as he implements his vision for the Navy’s future. Phelan has pledged to work closely with uniformed leadership, drawing on their operational expertise while bringing his business acumen to address administrative and financial challenges.

As Phelan begins his tenure, he faces immediate tests in addressing recruitment shortfalls, shipbuilding delays, and ongoing global deployments that stretch Navy resources. His performance will be closely watched by lawmakers from both parties, military leadership, and service members looking for solutions to longstanding problems that impact readiness and quality of life throughout the naval service.