Trump selects John Phelan, a non-military businessman, as Secretary of the Navy

President-elect Donald Trump has selected businessman John Phelan to be the next Secretary of the Navy. Phelan, who has no military experience, would be the first Navy Secretary in 15 years without a background in the armed forces. Trump praised Phelan’s success as an investor and founder of Rugger Management LLC, as well as his intelligence and leadership qualities. If confirmed, Phelan would oversee a budget of over $210 billion and more than 900,000 personnel. This non-military background is a departure from previous Navy Secretaries, the majority of whom have been veterans. Phelan’s predecessor, Carlos Del Toro, had served in the Navy for over 20 years. In contrast, Trump has also nominated combat veteran Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, served in the Army National Guard and has experience in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantánamo Bay. Ultimately, Phelan’s appointment represents a shift towards prioritizing business acumen and leadership skills in defense leadership positions.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com