Current U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro speaks to U.S. Marine Corps recruiters at Recruiting Sub-station Essex in Bloomfield, NJ, Oct. 27, 2024. Del Toro may be replaced by President-elect Donald Trump’s likely pick for Navy secretary, John Phelan. (Cesar Alarcon/U.S. Marine Corps )
President-elect Donald Trump announced businessman and mega donor John Phelan as his pick for the Secretary of the U.S. Navy.
“John will be a tremendous force for our naval servicemembers and a steadfast leader in advanced in my America First vision. He will put the business of the U.S. Navy above all else,” Trump said in a statement shared to social media Tuesday night.
Phelan is the founder of Rugger Management LLC and co-founder of MSD Capital, both private investment firms. He also serves as a board member of military-themed nonprofit Spirit of America.
Trump said Phelan’s “unmatched” intelligence, experience and leadership will elevate the lives of sailors. It is unclear if Phelan has any military experience or a connection to the sea service.
“John will deliver real results for our Navy and our country,” Trump said.
Phelan is a strong supporter of Trump’s reelection, donating $927,900 to the Trump 47 Committee since the start of 2024, according to the Federal Election Commission.
If confirmed, he would replace the current Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.
