Skip to Main ContentOutgoing Navy Secretary John Phelan Was Fired: ReportsU.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired from his job, sources told Fox News and Reuters shortly after the Defense Department announced his departure.One source told Axios that while Phelan got along with President Donald Trump, he clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth."Phelan didn't understand he wasn't the boss. His job is to follow orders given, not follow the orders he thinks should be given," the source claimed.Phelan's departure comes just a few weeks after Hegseth ousted the Army's chief of staff, Gen. Randy George.See All UpdatesClose