President Trump announced yesterday that he had nominated Hung Cao, the current acting Secretary of the Navy, to be confirmed in that job. “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,” he said. Hung Cao had been undersecretary of the Navy when Hegseth fired the then-secretary John Phelan in April. Phelan had reportedly shut Cao out of all decision-making and had been feuding with Hegseth over shipbuilding.
Cao outlined his vision as acting Navy secretary in April as one focused on alpha males and alpha females, as well as on delivering a high-and low-mix of ships to fulfill the promise of the Golden Fleet, reported Navy Times. He has also stressed the need to control the narrative and provide information about the service that instills trust within the American people. Cao ran for Congress in Virginia in 2022, and then for Senate against incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine in 2024, where he gained the endorsement of Trump but lost 54% to 45%. Cao was confirmed as Navy undersecretary in October of 2025 by a vote of 52-45, with all Democrats and Republican Lisa Murkowski voting against him.
