Trump’s Dreams for a Battleship Led to His Navy Secretary’s Ouster
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump prioritized the development of a new class of battleships, promising they would be the fastest, biggest, and 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.
- John Phelan, the secretary of the Navy, was tasked with delivering the first battleship by 2028 but struggled to meet the ambitious timeline.
- Trump fired Phelan due to his inability to produce a viable plan for the battleships, marking the first service secretary dismissal under this administration.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also removed or sidelined over two dozen senior military officials in the past year, including the Army’s chief of staff, reflecting ongoing turmoil within the Pentagon.
- Hegseth has experienced conflicts with the secretary of the Army, Daniel P. Driscoll, over promotions and other internal matters.
