War veteran selected to head the Navy and Marine Corps
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to formally nominate Hung Cao to serve as Secretary of the Navy.
Cao was confirmed as the Navy’s second-ranking civilian official last October. He has served as acting secretary since April, when Trump dismissed former Navy Secretary John Phelan.
Trump described Cao as a “true warrior” and said he was the right person to lead the US Navy and Marine Corps. The president urged the Senate to approve the nomination as quickly as possible so Cao could continue the work he has carried out over the past four months.
Senate confirmation may be delayed until after midterm elections
Despite the president’s call for swift approval, the political calendar in Washington makes an immediate vote unlikely.
Congress has only a few working days remaining before the midterm elections. It is also unclear when the White House will formally submit Cao’s nomination to the Senate, a necessary step before the confirmation process can begin.
Cao thanked the president for his support and said it was the honor of a lifetime to lead the Navy and Marine Corps team.
He identified accelerating shipbuilding and strengthening the defense of the US homeland as key priorities.
Military experience in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia
Hung Cao is a US Navy veteran who deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
He later held positions at the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His background includes both operational military service and senior roles in national security and defense institutions.
Cao also pursued a political career. In 2022, he unsuccessfully ran for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Two years later, he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Senator Tim Kaine.
Civilian defense leadership faces additional turnover
Cao’s nomination comes amid changes within the civilian leadership of the US military.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned earlier this week. As a result, until Cao is confirmed, two of the three military secretary positions are expected to be held on an acting basis.
The situation adds further uncertainty to defense administration and policy coordination at a time when fleet modernization, shipbuilding and military readiness remain key priorities for the administration.
