The fired US Navy Secretary John Phelan has tried to convince US President Donald Trump to keep him in his post, The Wall Street Journal writes, citing its sources.
According to them, after learning of his impending resignation from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Phelan made several phone calls in an attempt to arrange a meeting with Trump. On Wednesday, when the US president "had a free moment", Phelan asked to keep his post, but the president sided with Hegseth.
According to the publication, the US Secretary of Defense and his first deputy, Stephen Feinberg, explained to Trump the decision to dismiss Phelan, citing his insufficient implementation of the White House's shipbuilding plans. As a result, it was decided that the Navy needed new leadership.
On April 22, Pentagon Deputy Secretary of Public Affairs Sean Parnell told X that Phelan "is leaving his post in the administration, effective immediately". He did not give a reason for his resignation, adding that Phelan's first deputy, Hang Cao, would become acting secretary of the Navy.
Later, Axios reported, citing sources, that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Phelan due to disagreements between them. According to sources, the now former Navy Secretary was on good terms with the president. However, Hegseth believed that Phelan, reporting directly to the president, did not obey him.