On April 22, 2026, Pete Hegseth removed Navy Secretary John Phelan, marking a significant shift in Pentagon leadership. His aggressive consolidation of power has led to the swift ousting of senior military officials and raised alarms about political control.
Hegseth’s actions include major weapons procurement and top-officer promotions. He fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George earlier in April. Sources indicate that Phelan alleged Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg staged a “land grab” over submarine and shipbuilding decisions.
Phelan’s removal occurred within minutes after his complaints reached the front office. An official with direct knowledge stated, “It took literally three minutes for his s***talking to get back to the front office.” This rapid response underscores Hegseth’s control.
Currently, Hung Cao serves as Acting Secretary of the Navy. Observers note that all power has shifted from military uniforms to political appointees. A U.S. official commented, “All the power has been taken away from the uniforms and 100 percent gone to the political appointees.” This change reflects a broader trend toward political influence in military matters.
Hegseth has reportedly become “more confident than ever in his job” following these changes. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Hegseth aims to restore the warrior ethos while removing diversity, equity, and inclusion ideology from military operations.
This consolidation of power aligns with actions taken during the Trump administration, where political considerations increasingly influenced military leadership decisions. Hegseth’s reforms may significantly affect future Pentagon operations as he continues to reshape its leadership structure.
