Hung Cao has been nominated by US President Donald Trump to become the permanent Secretary of the United States Navy. Trump announced the nomination on September 1, 2026, moving Cao from his current role as Acting Secretary of the Navy toward a permanent position.

Hung Cao has been serving as Acting Secretary of the Navy since April 22, 2026. Before taking the acting position, he was confirmed by the US Senate as the 35th Under Secretary of the Navy on October 3, 2025. His nomination comes at a time when the United States is focusing strongly on naval strength, shipbuilding, defence production and the security of military supply chains.

Hung Cao’s New Role

If confirmed by the US Senate, Hung Cao will serve as the civilian head of the US Department of the Navy. The Secretary of the Navy is responsible for overseeing the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.

The Secretary works under the US Department of Defense and plays an important role in decisions related to naval operations, personnel, military resources, shipbuilding and long-term defence planning. The position is held by a civilian rather than an active-duty military officer.

Cao’s background as a former Navy officer gives him direct experience of military operations and defence challenges. His nomination therefore comes as the US Navy is working to strengthen its capabilities and improve its industrial base.

Hung Cao’s Military Career

Hung Cao spent 25 years in the United States Navy before retiring from active duty in October 2021 with the rank of Captain. His military career included work in special operations, diving and explosive ordnance disposal.

He served in several overseas operations, including deployments connected with Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. These assignments gave Cao experience in high-risk military environments and specialised naval operations.

His military background has remained an important part of his public profile since leaving active service. After retiring from the Navy, he entered public life and later became involved in US politics.

Focus on US Defence Industry

One of the major areas connected with Hung Cao during his time as Acting Secretary has been the US defence industrial base. In August 2026, he established the Navy’s Office of the Defense Industrial Base.

The new office is intended to improve the security and reliability of supply chains supporting the Navy. It also focuses on challenges involving shipyard infrastructure and the ability of the defence industry to support naval requirements.

Shipbuilding has become an important issue for the United States as Washington seeks to maintain a strong naval presence and expand its maritime capabilities. Building and maintaining warships requires a large network of suppliers, skilled workers, shipyards and specialised manufacturing facilities.

Hung Cao’s Political Background

Before taking senior roles in the Navy Department, Hung Cao also entered electoral politics. He ran as a Republican candidate in Virginia during the November 2022 elections and later contested the November 2024 election.

His 2022 campaign was for the US House of Representatives, while his 2024 campaign was for the US Senate. He did not win either election.

Despite the unsuccessful campaigns, Cao continued to remain active in public affairs and later moved into senior defence administration roles.

Why the Nomination Matters

The nomination of Hung Cao comes during a period of increased attention on US naval power. The United States is working to improve shipbuilding capacity, strengthen defence supply chains and maintain its position as a major maritime power.

The Navy faces challenges related to the cost and speed of building new ships, the condition of shipyard infrastructure and the availability of critical components. Strengthening the defence industrial base has therefore become an important part of US naval planning.

Cao’s experience as a former Navy Captain and his recent administrative work could influence how the Navy approaches these issues if his nomination is approved.

Senate Confirmation Expected

Although President Trump has nominated Hung Cao for the permanent position, the nomination still requires consideration by the US Senate. Senate confirmation is an important step for senior civilian positions in the US government.

Until the process is completed, Cao remains in his role as Acting Secretary of the Navy. If confirmed, he will formally take over the permanent position and continue working on issues involving the Navy, Marine Corps, shipbuilding and defence infrastructure.