Trump to formally nominate Cao as Navy Secretary

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday plans to formally nominate Hung Cao to be Secretary of the Navy.

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

“I am pleased to nominate a true WARRIOR, Hung Cao, to become the next Secretary of the Navy,” Trump said 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.”

The Senate is unlikely to confirm anyone ASAP, however, as Congress has only a few more working days before the November midterm elections. It is also not clear when the White House will transfer Cao’s formal nomination to the Senate to begin that 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 said 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 deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia as well as serving in positions at the Pentagon, Homeland Security and the FBI. In 2022, he unsuccessfully ran for a Virginia’s 10th congressional seat, and in 2024 unsuccessfully challenged Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned earlier this week, meaning that until Cao is confirmed, two of the three military secretaries are set to be filled in an acting capacity.