Dems would love people to forget how Biden and his administration & appointees botched so many things.

By now it should be apparent that Trump is unhappy with the status quo, and thus many of his appointees reflect a change of pace, a departure from the norm, a wide open door for change.  And those are the kinds of changes that the Trump majority voters expected.

Thus I'd put the Phalen nomination in that same category.   Even with Phelan's lack of naval or military service, he's a change agent.   

Of course there's a need for the US navy to stay modern and up to date in its fleet of ships.  And I can see a connection between govt and the private ship builders, as a good fit with an accomplished businessman like Phelan.  Keeping that supply chain vibrant for new ships and latest onboard technology . 

Yet the Dems will find plenty of stuff to cry wolf about.  Nominees will receive their share of incoming verbal blasts.  Part of the game of politics.