Overview
- President Trump announced he will formally nominate Acting Secretary Hung Cao on Tuesday, and Cao acknowledged the nomination while remaining in the acting role until the Senate votes.
- Cao is a retired Navy special-operations officer who served about 25 years, was confirmed as Navy undersecretary in October 2025, and has led the department since John Phelan left in April.
- As acting secretary, Cao has pushed the administration’s expanded shipbuilding plans and moved to restructure Navy acquisition to speed delivery of ships and weapons.
- The nomination comes as the Navy is under operational strain from the Iran war, including the USS Abraham Lincoln’s record continuous deployment of roughly nine months and reports of mental health and supply problems for some sailors.
- Senate confirmation is uncertain because of the crowded midterm calendar and recent Pentagon turnover — including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s recent resignation — which leaves several senior service posts filled only by acting officials.