Hung Cao Takes Over as Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy; Background and Experience Overview
U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was dismissed yesterday, and Hung Cao, the Navy's second-highest civilian official, took over as Acting Secretary. Cao, a Vietnamese American, is known for his strong partisan stance during his campaign and is seen as aligned with some of President Trump's most controversial policies.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 14:39
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 23rd, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was dismissed yesterday, and Hung Cao, the Navy's second-highest civilian official, took over as Acting Secretary. Cao, a Vietnamese American, is known for his strong partisan stance during his campaign and is seen as aligned with some of President Trump's most controversial policies.
Political news agency Politico reported, citing four informed sources, that former Under Secretary of the Navy Cao built considerable credibility within the Pentagon through his quick grasp of shipbuilding matters and his crisis response after a major change in Navy leadership last year.
Phelan's sudden departure comes at a turbulent time for the U.S. Navy, which is simultaneously responding to multiple blockades worldwide, the Iran war, and the growing threat of the Chinese navy. Despite Cao's background as a cultural warrior and political baggage, officials inside and outside the military describe him as straightforward and fully supported by the White House.
Cao's promotion is also a significant moment for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Although Trump and Phelan have had a long-standing relationship, Hegseth's decision to remove the wealthy financier seems to have been supported by Trump.
A senior government official said, "The president is very concerned about shipbuilding, but progress has not met his expectations. He and Hegseth discussed it on the evening of the 20th, and at the end of the meeting, they decided it was time for Phelan to leave."
Trump today called Phelan an "old friend" on social media, saying he had led the Navy "excellently" for over a year, and described his departure as Phelan's decision.
As for Cao, the Republican who lost to Virginia Federal Senator Tim Kaine in the election, his social views and cultural stance are more aligned with Hegseth than those of Phelan, a former investment banker and Trump financier.
During his 2024 debate with Kaine, Cao directly stated, "When you're recruiting for the Navy with drag queens, those are not the people you want. We need powerful men and women who would even cut themselves open, swallow it, and ask for more. That kind of young man and woman can win wars."
Associated Press mentioned that Cao also criticized the military's COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) vaccine mandate and its efforts in "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) during the debate.
Cao was a refugee who moved to the United States from Vietnam in his youth. He served in the Navy for over 20 years, with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Insiders say he was scheduled to discuss his plans as acting Secretary of the Navy at the White House yesterday.
An unnamed industry insider said, "He is familiar with the government environment, is a Navy officer, and has political support within both the government and the Navy. Theoretically, he has great potential." The insider also said Cao is "very sensitive" to the details of shipbuilding plans, which is rare among high-ranking political appointees.
In an email statement, Cao said he was "grateful" for the opportunity to serve as acting Secretary of the Navy, adding, "My immediate priorities are to take care of our Navy sailors and Marines, advance shipbuilding plans, and ensure homeland security."
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Cao embodies "the resilient spirit and 'America First' vision needed to maintain America's maritime superiority." (Compiler: Lu Yingzi) 1150424
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(Central News Agency, Washington, 23rd, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was dismissed yesterday, and Hung Cao, the Navy's second-highest civilian official, took over as Acting Secretary. Cao, a Vietnamese American, is known for his strong partisan stance during his campaign and is seen as aligned with some of President Trump's most controversial policies.
Political news agency Politico reported, citing four informed sources, that former Under Secretary of the Navy Cao built considerable credibility within the Pentagon through his quick grasp of shipbuilding matters and his crisis response after a major change in Navy leadership last year.
Phelan's sudden departure comes at a turbulent time for the U.S. Navy, which is simultaneously responding to multiple blockades worldwide, the Iran war, and the growing threat of the Chinese navy. Despite Cao's background as a cultural warrior and political baggage, officials inside and outside the military describe him as straightforward and fully supported by the White House.
Cao's promotion is also a significant moment for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Although Trump and Phelan have had a long-standing relationship, Hegseth's decision to remove the wealthy financier seems to have been supported by Trump.
A senior government official said, "The president is very concerned about shipbuilding, but progress has not met his expectations. He and Hegseth discussed it on the evening of the 20th, and at the end of the meeting, they decided it was time for Phelan to leave."
Trump today called Phelan an "old friend" on social media, saying he had led the Navy "excellently" for over a year, and described his departure as Phelan's decision.
As for Cao, the Republican who lost to Virginia Federal Senator Tim Kaine in the election, his social views and cultural stance are more aligned with Hegseth than those of Phelan, a former investment banker and Trump financier.
During his 2024 debate with Kaine, Cao directly stated, "When you're recruiting for the Navy with drag queens, those are not the people you want. We need powerful men and women who would even cut themselves open, swallow it, and ask for more. That kind of young man and woman can win wars."
Associated Press mentioned that Cao also criticized the military's COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) vaccine mandate and its efforts in "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) during the debate.
Cao was a refugee who moved to the United States from Vietnam in his youth. He served in the Navy for over 20 years, with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Insiders say he was scheduled to discuss his plans as acting Secretary of the Navy at the White House yesterday.
An unnamed industry insider said, "He is familiar with the government environment, is a Navy officer, and has political support within both the government and the Navy. Theoretically, he has great potential." The insider also said Cao is "very sensitive" to the details of shipbuilding plans, which is rare among high-ranking political appointees.
In an email statement, Cao said he was "grateful" for the opportunity to serve as acting Secretary of the Navy, adding, "My immediate priorities are to take care of our Navy sailors and Marines, advance shipbuilding plans, and ensure homeland security."
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Cao embodies "the resilient spirit and 'America First' vision needed to maintain America's maritime superiority." (Compiler: Lu Yingzi) 1150424
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.