Trump taps acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for permanent role
President Trump announced Tuesday he will nominate Hung Cao, currently acting Navy Secretary, to lead the Navy and Marine Corps. Cao, a former special operations officer and unsuccessful 2024 Senate candidate, thanked Trump for the nomination. He has overseen the Navy during the ongoing Iran conflict and faced scrutiny over conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Cao's path to the Navy's top civilian post spans more than three decades of service, beginning with his enlistment as a Seaman Recruit in 1989 and continuing through his commissioning as a Special Operations Officer from the Naval Academy seven years later. His 2024 Senate bid against Tim Kaine ended in defeat but kept him in Trump's orbit.
As acting secretary, Cao has steered the Navy through the eighth month of the Iran conflict and the controversy surrounding the USS Abraham Lincoln, where sailors reported mold, spoiled food, and suicide attempts. Trump dismissed those reports as fabricated, while Cao now faces Senate confirmation with early support from figures like Rick Scott.
This nomination could shape military leadership continuity during an active conflict, as Cao already holds the role and would move from temporary to permanent status. Confirmation may affect Navy morale and public trust, particularly given the Lincoln controversy and ongoing operations. Service members and their families could see policy direction influenced by whether the Senate acts swiftly or subjects the nominee to extended scrutiny, with potential ripple effects on shipbuilding priorities and readiness.