Trump taps ‘true warrior’ Hung Cao as Navy secretary after 4 months as acting leader

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is nominating acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to permanently lead the service, calling the former Navy special operations officer a “true WARRIOR” and urging the Senate to quickly confirm him.

Cao has served as acting secretary for the past four months, overseeing the Navy and Marine Corps as the Trump administration pushes to expand U.S. shipbuilding and strengthen the military’s maritime capabilities.

“I am pleased to nominate a true WARRIOR, Hung Cao, to become the next Secretary of the Navy,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“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 president continued.

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Trump called on the Senate to move quickly on the nomination, pointing to Cao’s tenure already leading the department.

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“The Senate needs to confirm this Warfighter, ASAP, so he can continue the fantastic work he has been doing over the past 4 months,” Trump wrote.

Cao thanked Trump shortly after the announcement and said his priorities would continue to include shipbuilding and homeland defense.

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“Thank you, Mr. President. It’s an honor of a lifetime to lead the great warriors of the Navy and Marine Corps team,” Cao wrote on X. “I’m grateful for your leadership and support as we continue to get after shipbuilding and ensure the defense of the homeland.”

Cao is a retired Navy captain who served for 25 years in uniform after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. His military career included service in special operations and deployments to combat zones, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Virginia Republican later entered politics, mounting an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2022 before challenging Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine for his Senate seat in 2024.

Trump endorsed Cao during the 2024 campaign, touting his military background. Cao ultimately lost to Kaine before joining the Trump administration and taking over the Navy in an acting capacity earlier this year.

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If confirmed by the Senate, Cao would formally assume responsibility for the Department of the Navy, which includes both the Navy and Marine Corps.

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The White House and the U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.