President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to nominate Hung Cao as the permanent Navy Secretary. Cao has held the acting position since late April, when his predecessor John Phelan departed unexpectedly without providing a public explanation for his departure.
Cao brings significant military credentials to the role, having spent 25 years serving as a Navy special operations officer. His career included deployments with SEAL teams and special forces units in Iraq and Afghanistan. This military background distinguishes him from his predecessor Phelan, who had no prior military service or civilian leadership experience within the Navy. Prior to his current appointment, Cao served as Navy undersecretary.
The nomination arrives amid growing concerns about the operational demands placed on naval personnel. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has completed an extended nine-month deployment supporting operations related to Iran, marking a record-setting continuous period at sea. Reports have documented deteriorating mental health conditions among crew members and supply shortages affecting food and hygiene products aboard the vessel. These conditions have prompted scrutiny from Democratic members of Congress, including Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ruben Gallego, who are calling for Pentagon accountability regarding shipboard conditions.
Cao has previously championed initiatives within Navy leadership, including efforts to restore duty status to service members who declined the COVID-19 vaccine mandate from the prior administration. He has also expressed support for the Navy’s Blue Angels demonstration squadron and their operational decisions. The nomination occurs during a period of significant change within military leadership, with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitting his resignation following reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
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