President Donald Trump has put forward Hung Cao, who has been serving as the acting Navy Secretary, for the role of permanent Secretary of the Navy. This nomination comes four months after the departure of former Secretary John Phelan, and it now awaits Senate confirmation. Cao assumed the acting secretary position in April, following his role as the Navy’s undersecretary. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years in the Navy, Cao is a retired captain who has served as a special operations officer, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and has also been a diver and explosive ordnance disposal officer.
In his announcement, President Trump commended Cao as a “true warrior” and called upon the Senate to expedite his confirmation. Cao expressed his gratitude for the nomination, emphasizing his intentions to prioritize shipbuilding and homeland security. The nomination arrives at a time when the Navy is under scrutiny due to the pressures faced by personnel during the ongoing tensions with Iran. Concerns have been raised by lawmakers regarding the extended deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and issues such as crew fatigue, mental health, and shortages of essential supplies.
Throughout his tenure as acting secretary, Cao has focused on enhancing shipbuilding, modernization, and the integration of artificial intelligence within the Navy. His nomination is part of a broader shift in the senior leadership of the U.S. military, marked by the recent resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. If confirmed, Cao will assume permanent leadership of the Navy and Marine Corps during a period characterized by heightened operational demands and a strategic emphasis on expanding U.S. naval capabilities.
The nomination signifies a critical step in addressing the leadership void within the Navy, as it navigates complex global challenges and seeks to bolster its strategic posture. Cao’s extensive military background and experience in special operations and ordnance disposal are seen as vital assets in advancing the Navy’s objectives. The Senate’s decision on his confirmation will determine the trajectory of these initiatives at a time when the United States continues to address evolving maritime threats and commitments.