Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Trump Nominates Combat Veteran Hung Cao as Permanent Navy Secretary
President Donald Trump wants Hung Cao to become the permanent leader of the Navy.
Cao has been temporarily leading the Navy since April.
The previous secretary, John Phelan, suddenly left the job.
Cao is a retired Navy captain who served in combat.
He worked with special operations forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Senate must approve him before he can take the permanent position.
The Navy is facing pressure because of overseas military operations and long ship deployments.
Some lawmakers are worried about conditions on ships, but Cao says reports of food and supply shortages are inaccurate.
If approved, Cao would help manage the Navy, Marine Corps and their worldwide missions.
President Donald Trump nominated acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to permanently lead the Department of the Navy.
Cao has served as acting secretary since John Phelan abruptly resigned in April without an explanation.
A retired Navy captain and combat veteran, Cao spent 25 years as a special operations officer and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The nomination requires confirmation by the United States Senate amid Pentagon leadership tensions and overseas operations involving Iran.
If confirmed, Cao would oversee Navy and Marine Corps budgets, readiness, shipbuilding and global fleet deployments.
- Who
- President Donald Trump nominated acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, a retired Navy captain and combat veteran, subject to Senate confirmation.
- What
- Cao was nominated to become the permanent Secretary of the Navy.
- When
- Trump announced the nomination on Tuesday; Cao has served as acting secretary since late April.
- Where
- The nomination concerns the United States Department of the Navy and its global naval and Marine Corps operations.
- Why
- The nomination would end months of interim leadership after John Phelan’s abrupt resignation.
Supporters
Critics
Confirmation speed
Supporters
Trump called Cao a “true warrior” and urged the Senate to confirm him quickly, while conservative Republicans have strongly backed him.
Critics
The nomination still requires Senate approval, and Cao has disagreed with some lawmakers over Navy policy.
Conditions aboard ships
Supporters
Cao rejected reports of food and supply shortages aboard Navy vessels, calling them inaccurate.
Critics
Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about conditions aboard ships, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, after lengthy deployments without resupply or shore leave.
Leadership and policy
Supporters
Supporters cite Cao’s efforts to strengthen the Navy’s force posture and reinstate service members discharged under previous military mandates.
Critics
Critics have focused on operational pressures, lengthy carrier deployments and tensions within the Pentagon’s senior civilian leadership.
- Nominee
- Hung Cao
- Current position
- Acting Secretary of the Navy
- Acting tenure
- Since late April
- Military background
- Retired Navy captain and combat veteran with a 25-year Navy career
- Combat service
- Served with special operations forces in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Confirmation
- Requires approval by the United States Senate
- Potential responsibilities
- Navy and Marine Corps budgets, readiness, shipbuilding and global fleet deployments
- Potential distinction
- Would become the 35th Secretary of the Navy if confirmed
