Navy Secretary Nominee Secures Confirmation From Senate

John Phelan, President Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Navy, has been confirmed by the Senate.

Quick Takes

John Phelan was confirmed as Secretary of the Navy with the Senate’s 62-30 vote.
Phelan lacks a military background but plans to tackle the Navy’s issues with his business acumen.
His supporters have expressed optimism that his leadership skills will serve as an asset in the role.
Critics have expressed concerns over his defense investments and potential workforce impacts.

Senate Confirmation

The US Senate confirmed John Phelan, Donald Trump’s nominee, as Secretary of the Navy, finalizing a 62-30 vote that saw support primarily from Republicans. His confirmation marks a departure from tradition as Phelan, the first in over 15 years, leads the Navy without military experience. His nomination, advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee, reflects a Republican-backed shift towards business-oriented leadership for the military branch.

Despite his lack of experience with the military, Phelan plans to apply his business skills to address several pressing issues facing the Navy, such as failed audits, subpar housing, high suicide rates, extended deployments, and delayed shipbuilding. In his confirmation hearing last month, he argued that the Navy is in desperate need of change and that he has an advantage due to his ability to turn away from “traditional” ways of military thinking.

Senate Confirms John Phelan As America’s New Navy Secretaryhttps://t.co/r7MEOU32OW

— The Federalist (@FDRLST) March 24, 2025

Tackling Navy’s Challenges

Phelan aims to inject business efficiency into Navy leadership, addressing systemic issues like cost overruns and deficient shipbuilding timetables. During his confirmation hearing, he noted, “The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps remain the most formidable expeditionary force in the world. But the U.S. Navy is at a crossroads.” He acknowledged systemic failures as unacceptable, promising a results-oriented approach.

Phelan underscored urgency in transforming Navy culture, highlighting problematic practices and emphasizing necessary reforms to combat complacency. He intends to complete a department-wide audit while improving recruitment by drawing on successful Marine Corps practices.

Support and Criticism

Phelan’s confirmation navigated a political divide, with staunch Republican support hailing his business rationale. Sen. Roger Wicker endorsed his nontraditional background, citing past business turnarounds as crucial during the Navy’s crisis. “He has rescued companies in distress. Our Navy is certainly in distress and we need that same kind of leadership,” Wicker commented, according to Stars and Stripes.

Despite support, some Democrats voiced concerns that there could be conflicts due to investments in defense sector contractors. Additionally, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen worried about workforce impacts for shipyard workers, prompting Phelan to promise cooperative efforts with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to protect jobs.