WASHINGTON (March 25, 2025) – Mr. John Phelan is sworn in as the 79th Secretary of the Navy by Mr. Jon Harrison, Chief of Staff of the Department of the Navy, March 25, 2025. Secretary Phelan took the oath of office at the National Archives following his U.S. Senate confirmation. (Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kory Alsberry) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Image: DoD
By: FEDweek StaffJon Phelan, an investment banker and philanthropist active in GOP circles, was sworn in as the 79th secretary of the Navy during a ceremony held at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Phelan, like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, is a selection from outside the military’s bureaucracy and in this case outside of the military entirely, having never served. Rather, he is someone with deep ties in Republican and finance circles, as well as an ally of President Trump.
“It is an honor to be sworn in as the 79th Secretary of the Navy on the hallowed ground of our National Archives in the presence of America’s founding documents,” Phelan said during the ceremony.
“I am deeply grateful to President Trump and the Senate for the opportunity to lead the Department of the Navy as we revitalize shipbuilding, sharpen our warfighting culture and recruit America’s finest sailors and Marines.”
According to the Navy, Phelan comes into his new job from the Palm Beach, Florida-based Rugger Management, LLC., a private investment firm he founded and served as chairman. He has prior experience at other investment banks such as Goldman and Merrill as well, holds degrees from Harvard Business School and Southern Methodist University.
As secretary of the Navy, Phelan will be responsible for managing the department’s $265 billion-plus budget and more than one million sailors, Marines and civilian personnel. “I am deeply grateful to President Trump and the Senate for the opportunity to lead the Department of the Navy as we revitalize shipbuilding, sharpen our warfighting culture and recruit America’s finest Sailors and Marines,” said Phelan as his swearing in.
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