"I am pleased to nominate a true WARRIOR, Hung Cao, to become the next Secretary of the Navy," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, formally announcing his intent to elevate the Pentagon's acting Navy secretary to the department's top civilian post.
Trump's formal nomination and public pitch
The president's announcement framed the move as a promotion of a political and operational ally. In his Truth Social post, Trump called for the Senate to "confirm this Warfighter, ASAP," saying he could think of "no one better" to keep the Navy and Marine Corps "the FIERCEST and BEST Force the World has ever seen." The White House has not yet transferred a formal nomination to the Senate, and the timing of any submission remains unclear.
Hung Cao's current role and timeline in the Navy
Cao has been serving as acting secretary of the Navy since the president fired then-Navy Secretary John Phelan in April. The source notes he was previously confirmed as the Navy’s number two civilian last October. In a social media post responding to the announcement, Cao said: "It’s an honor of a lifetime to lead the great warriors of the Navy and Marine Corps team," and added he was "grateful for your leadership and support as we continue to get after shipbuilding and ensure the defense of the homeland." Trump also praised "the fantastic work he has been doing over the past 4 months."
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Get a security leadHung Cao's operational and political background
The source describes Cao as a Navy veteran with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia and notes service at the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. It records two recent electoral bids: an unsuccessful run for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2022 and an unsuccessful challenge to Virginia Senator Tim Kaine in 2024.
Senate timing, the midterm calendar, and confirmation prospects
The announcement collides with a compressed congressional calendar. The source cautions that "the Senate is unlikely to confirm anyone ASAP" because Congress has "only a few more working days before the November midterm elections." That calendar pressure, coupled with the White House's decision point about when to transmit a formal nomination, creates immediate uncertainty about whether Cao will be confirmed before the midterms or remain in an acting capacity for an extended period.
How the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Senate are positioned
- The Navy and the Marine Corps: Cao's acting leadership continues day-to-day management of the services; his social media message emphasized shipbuilding and "defense of the homeland," signaling priorities he has publicly stressed.
- The Senate: With limited workdays before the midterms, senators face a scheduling decision if and when the White House sends a formal nomination. The source indicates the chamber's calendar makes a rapid confirmation unlikely.
- The Department of Defense's civilian leadership: The source also reports that 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—raising questions about continuity in civilian service leadership.
Two simple facts define the immediate next chapter: the White House must decide when to transmit a formal nomination, and the Senate must decide whether to try to confirm a service secretary in the narrow window before the midterm recess. Until those choices are made, Hung Cao will continue in the acting role that he has held since April, the Army will be without a permanent secretary following Dan Driscoll's resignation, and congressional timing will remain the key procedural constraint.
