John Phelan Officially Sworn in as 79th Secretary of the Navy

The Honorable John Phelan has officially been sworn in as the 79th Secretary of the Navy in a ceremony held in the Oval Office. Secretary Scott Bessent administered the oath of office, marking the beginning of Phelan’s tenure overseeing the Department of the Navy.

Secretary Phelan brings a wealth of experience from the private sector, having previously served as Founder and Chairman of Rugger Management, LLC, and as Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of MSD Capital, L.P. His leadership in investment management has been widely recognized, and he now transitions into public service to lead nearly one million Sailors, Marines, reservists, and civilian personnel.

In his remarks following the swearing-in, Secretary Phelan emphasized his commitment to strengthening shipbuilding and the maritime industrial base, fostering an adaptive and accountable warfighting culture, and improving the health, welfare, and training of Navy personnel.

“I am honored to serve as Secretary of the Navy and to lead the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our nation,” said Phelan. “We will work tirelessly to ensure our Navy remains the most formidable maritime force in the world.”

John Phelan has officially been sworn in as the Secretary of the Navy by @SecScottBessent in the Oval Office. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aTVG5APG8I

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 6, 2025