Trump selects Hung Cao to serve as US Navy secretary - Reuters

President Donald Trump announced on September 1 that he is nominating Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to serve as the department’s permanent secretary. The announcement was made via the president’s social‑media platform, and he called on the U.S. Senate to move quickly on confirming Cao.

Cao, a veteran with extensive experience in naval logistics and procurement, has been serving as the acting secretary since the dismissal of his predecessor earlier this year. The nomination comes as the Pentagon grapples with a series of leadership changes, including the firing of former Navy Secretary John Phelan in 2026 after disagreements with senior officials over the proposed “Golden Fleet” program, and the recent resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on August 31 following repeated clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The timing of the nomination coincides with heightened concerns about the impact of the ongoing conflict with Iran on military personnel and readiness. The war, now in its sixth month, has intensified after a brief lull, and the U.S. Navy has been maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports as both nations vie for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

Trump’s administration has emphasized the need for stable leadership in the Navy as the conflict continues. The president initially described the war as a short‑term operation, but the prolonged engagement has raised questions about the long‑term strategic and logistical challenges facing the service.

If confirmed by the Senate, Cao would become the first permanent Navy secretary appointed during the current phase of the Iran war, taking over a department that has been navigating both external conflict and internal leadership turnover.