President Nominates Hung Cao to Permanently Lead Navy, Marine Corps
President Trump has nominated Hung Cao, a refugee from Vietnam and current acting Secretary of the Navy, to permanently lead the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, a nomination that requires Senate confirmation amid ongoing international conflict and Pentagon leadership changes.
Salt Lake City, UT, September 4, 2026 — President Trump has put forward a nomination for Hung Cao to permanently assume leadership of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Cao currently serves as the acting Secretary of the Navy.
The nomination requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate. This process unfolds against a backdrop of significant international conflict and broader leadership transitions within the Pentagon.
Hung Cao’s background includes being a refugee from Vietnam. His current role as acting Secretary of the Navy places him at the helm of the naval services on an interim basis.
The potential permanent appointment to lead both the Navy and the Marine Corps is a notable development, given the current geopolitical climate and ongoing shifts in defense department leadership. The Senate’s confirmation process will determine if Cao will officially hold the permanent position.
Specific details regarding the timeline for the Senate confirmation hearings or any potential challenges were not provided. The summary did not include information about the specific international conflicts or the nature of the Pentagon leadership changes referenced.
Further details regarding the nomination and the subsequent confirmation proceedings are expected as the process moves forward.
Story summarized from the original created by Jason Swensen on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
