Phelan theory #2, which I would describe as "typical, toxic, work environment"

Trump fires Navy chief over formidable battleship demands

President Trump's push for a high-tech "Trump-class" battleship has claimed another administration casualty. Navy Secretary John Phelan was ousted on Wednesday after failing to produce a viable plan for delivering the president's dream warship on the aggressive timeline Trump desired, according to senior defense and administration officials

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg reportedly told Trump that Phelan wasn't a "team player,"

msn.com - Trump fires navy chief over formidable battleship demands

Seems that Phelan could have thrown some nonsense design out, to appease Trump the Conqueror. The Navy has been designing stuff like the "Trump class", for decades. What would he care? Given the length of DoD procurement programs, he would be long gone from office, and accountability, before anyone decides to spike it as another costly, DoD procurement fiasco.

That "team player" narrative, could apply as well to not getting a keel laid for a ship Trump can name after himself, as refusing to ignore the court ruling, and proceed with disciplining Kelly. I know from experience, anything that does not feed the "JC's" delusion, will draw that "not a team player", career ending, stain.

Steve