Trump Moves to Nominate Hung Cao as Navy Secretary

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his intention to formally nominate Hung Cao to serve as Secretary of the Navy.

Cao was confirmed as the Navy’s number two civilian last October and has been serving in the acting secretary position since April, when Trump dismissed then-Navy Secretary John Phelan.

“I am pleased to nominate a true WARRIOR, Hung Cao, to become the next Secretary of the Navy,” Trump stated in a Truth Social post. “We need Patriots like Hung leading our Navy and Marine Corps, and I can think of no one better than him to make sure our Great Navy and Marine Corps remain the FIERCEST and BEST Force the World has ever seen. The Senate needs to confirm this Warfighter, ASAP, so he can continue the fantastic work he has been doing over the past 4 months.”

However, the Senate is unlikely to confirm a nominee before the November midterm elections, as Congress has only a few remaining working days in session. It also remains unclear when the White House will formally transmit Cao’s nomination to the Senate to initiate the confirmation process.

“Thank you, Mr. President. It’s an honor of a lifetime to lead the great warriors of the Navy and Marine Corps team,” Cao responded in a social media post. “I’m grateful for your leadership and support as we continue to get after shipbuilding and ensure the defense of the homeland.”

A Navy veteran, Cao has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, and has served in various roles at the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI. In 2022, he ran unsuccessfully for Virginia’s 10th congressional district seat, and in 2024, he challenged Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) without success.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned earlier this week, which means that until Cao is confirmed, two of the three military department secretary positions will be filled in an acting capacity.

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