In the middle of the Iran War, the US President fired John Phelan, who was in charge of the US Navy. This continues a worrying trend.
April 25, 2026, 8:09 p.mApril 25, 2026, 8:09 p.m
Donald Trump loves to fire people. As the protagonist of his reality show “The Apprentice,” the phrase “You’re fired!” (German: “You’re fired!”) became the trademark of the entrepreneur at the time. He remains true to this today: The US President fired his Navy Minister on Wednesday – in the middle of the Iran War, in which the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by the US Navy plays a central role.
The action is not an isolated case. In the last 15 months, Trump has kicked out more than a dozen senior officials. Once because of frustration surrounding the “Epstein files,” once because of the accidental publication of military data in a group chat and once because of criticism of the handling of his mass acquisition mission. An overview of the most spectacular cases:
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan
Former Navy Secretary John Phelan.Image: keystone
John Phelan only took up his job as Navy Secretary in March last year. He previously worked as an investment banker. Phelan was never in the US Navy or military. He was reportedly a close confidante of the president. In his new office he was supposed to strengthen shipbuilding and the maritime industry. This included overseeing a new “golden fleet,” which would include a new class of warships, the “Trump class.” The first of these ships should be ready by 2028. A practically impossible deadline. The dispute with his superior, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is said to have ultimately cost him his office.
The provisional successor to the minister will be Hung Cao. A retired Navy captain and unsuccessful Republican Senate candidate from Virginia. In a speech, Cao said the Navy needs “alpha men and alpha women who will rip out their own intestines, eat them and then ask for seconds.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi.Image: keystone
Beginning of April Trump fired his Attorney General Pam Bondi. This came after criticism, from both the Democratic and Republican sides, of their handling of the “Epstein files” became increasingly louder. Bondi tried to delay the release of the documents, the US media said. The documents have now been published gradually – often heavily redacted.
The president was also angry with Bondi because she had not acted aggressively enough against his political opponents. Her former job is now being done by former defender Todd Blanche and Bondi’s former number 2.
Security Secretary Kristi Noem
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.Image: keystone
The head of the Department of Homeland Security was Kristi Noem until her release in March of this year the face of Trump’s mass acquisition plans – literally. As part of a TV advertising campaign for her ministry’s work, Noem was seen riding a horse, among other things. The advertising cost around $220 million.
When Republican Senator John Kennedy asked Noem at a hearing whether the president had been informed about the cost of the commercial, Noem replied “yes.” Trump said no, and fired her shortly afterwards. Noem also made headlines during this time because of an alleged affair with an adviser. In her position today is Markwayne Mullin, a senator from Oklahoma. Noem is the new special envoy for the “Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative from the Trump administration.
Head of the Doge Authority, Elon Musk
Sometimes friend, sometimes enemy, then friend again of Trump: Elon Musk.Image: www.imago-images.de
One of the first firings of Trump’s second term was that of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. At the beginning of the year, he and the new president were practically inseparable. Six months later, Musk wrote online that Trump appeared in the Epstein files.
In the interim, Musk fired hundreds of thousands of federal employees and cut funding from multiple projects and agencies – all in the name of efficiency. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where Musk was a special advisor, was largely shut down in November. Trump and Musk are now getting along again.
Security consultant Mike Waltz
Mike Waltz had to leave in May 2025.Image: keystone
The firing of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in May of last year was by no means a surprise. It was previously revealed that Waltz had accidentally invited The Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, into a group chat by planning military attacks on Yemen with, among others, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Goldberg remained unnoticed in the group chat on the app Signal until after the bombings. To this day, Rubio holds the office of security adviser in addition to his role as secretary of state. Waltz has been Ambassador to the United Nations since September 2025.
More layoffs
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino also lost their jobs. The latter sparked mass protests with a hunt for migrants in Minnesota. Counterterrorism chief Joe Kent disagreed with Trump over his war against Iran and was forced to resign in March. Allegations of abuse of power have been made against Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in recent weeks. She was released in April 2026. In addition, at least 13 generals and admirals have been fired. (aargauerzeitung.ch)