
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, lacks military experience and civilian leadership roles within the service. While the Navy is in need of change, experts caution that Phelan's background may hinder his ability to achieve Trump's objectives.
Phelan, a major campaign donor to Trump, founded Rugger Management LLC and has limited exposure to the military through an advisory role with a non-profit supporting defense efforts in Ukraine and Taiwan.