President Trump nominates Hung Cao as Navy Secretary

President Trump said on Tuesday he would be nominating Hung Cao for Navy Secretary after the predecessor to the role stepped down in April.

The president announced his pick on Truth Social Tuesday night, saying “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. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he said.

Cao, who currently serves as the Acting Navy Secretary, thanked President Trump for the nomination on Tuesday.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to lead the great warriors of the Navy and Marine Corps team,” Cao said. “I’m grateful for your [Trump] leadership and support as we continue to get after shipbuilding and ensure the defense of the homeland.”

Cao immigrated to the United States in 1975 before entering the Navy as a Seaman Recruit in 1989 and was later commissioned as a Special Operations Officer from the United States Naval Academy in 1996.

He unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2024 against Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) – while on the campaign trail with Cao, Trump at the time called him a “great gentleman.”

Cao has already led the Navy through a tumultuous time as the war in Iran stretches into its eighth month. He also faced public scrutiny alongside other military leadership for controversy surrounding the USS Abraham Lincoln.

He announced that the Lincoln was returning home amid reports of poor conditions, including moldy showers and rotten food, with multiple sailors even attempting to jump off the aircraft carrier.

Trump said at the time the allegations “ a CNN fake report ” and “The Lincoln has been out there for a period of time, good period of time. But over the years, we’ve had them out there much longer.”

Cao will still need to be confirmed by the Senate but some senators are already backing him for the role.

“I know you will work hard to support our incredible Sailors and Marines,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Flor.) wrote on social media Tuesday .