Given that John Phelan is a Republican and has no prior military experience, Donald Trump has been under fire for appointing him as his secretary of the navy.
According to Knewz.com, Phelan, 60, was selected because of his private equity experience, which Democrats are expected to dispute because the position is often given to someone with a well-known military past.
“John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Service members and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision,” the president-elect said in a statement.
“He will put thebusinessof the U.S. Navy above all else.”
His choice was swiftly attacked by critics on social media.
A person posted on X: “Questioning the John Phelan pick, feels like rewarding a cronie as he had no military experience.”
Another said: “Trump’s choice for the position of Secretary of the Navy has absolutely no military or naval expertise. He is an entrepreneur.
“Phelan did not serve in the military, just another rich capitalist,” remarked a third.
Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, has a private investment firm called MSD Capital, which Phelan co-founded.
In addition, he founded and serves as chairman of Rugger Management LLC, a private investment company based in Florida.
Under Joe Biden, the department is now led by retired Navy officer Carlos Del Toro.
Two additional Trump supporters, Congressman and former medical adviser Dr. Ronny Jackson and outgoing Representative Mike Garcia of California, are thought to have been the other applicants for the position.
Phelan was reportedly part of Trump’s round of interviews at Mar-a-Lago on Monday.
Possessing works by Picasso, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, and numerous other modern and classic artists, Phelan and his wife Amy, who own a $38 million mansion in Aspen, Colorado, spend a large portion of their income on art collecting.
Additionally, the family has been a staunch supporter of Trump. According to FEC reports, Phelan contributed $834,600 to Trump’s joint fundraising committee in April.
During the 2024 election cycle, when Republicans regained control of the Senate and the House, he also made donations to a number of GOB-state parties.
Trump told supporters that losing to Kamala Harris “could be the last election we ever have” during a fundraiser held at the Phelans’ Colorado house in August.
According to reports, the president-elect has expressed a wish to purge the military of “wokeness” and intends to form a warrior board composed of retired former service members in order to screen out “woke generals” who are thought to be unsuited for leadership roles.
According to a draft executive order seen by the Wall Street Journal, the president-elect’s transition team is reportedly debating whether to investigate three or four-star commanders who they believe are “lacking in requisite leadership qualities.”
Trump pledged during his reelection campaign to rid the military of so-called “woke” generals, even suggesting that former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and critic Mark Milley might be put to death for treason.
According to current and former U.S. officials, Trump would put loyalty first during his second term and fire career civil servants and military officers he believes to be disloyal.
Beginning in January, Trump will have the authority to dismiss any officer as commander in chief.
However, an external board would enable him to circumvent the Pentagon’s customary promotion process, implying an impending purge.
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