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Acting Navy secretary vows to build ships days after Phelan’s firing
Cao says he will push shipbuilding reforms after John Phelan was removed amid months of tensions over Navy priorities.
- President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan this week, appointing decorated special operations officer Hung Cao as acting Navy Secretary.
- Tensions between Phelan and Hegseth over shipbuilding reforms and Phelan's direct communication with Trump drove the ouster. Phelan had isolated Cao from decision-making, keeping him "in a box" by excluding him from official meetings.
- Cao, a decorated special operations officer, championed Trump's "America First" vision during his 2024 Virginia Senate race against Tim Kaine, losing 54% to 45%. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Cao "brings battle-tested leadership to the Navy's highest office."
- Cao is quickly coming up to speed on previously restricted shipbuilding priorities. He told Pentagon officials he will loyally support Trump and Hegseth rather than bypass them as Phelan did.
- The Navy currently plays a critical role in stopping Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions. It remains unclear whether Cao will be nominated to permanently lead the Department or serve only in an acting capacity.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao Lists Shipbuilding as a Top Priority
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao vowed to boost shipbuilding efforts in a video statement addressing U.S. sailors and Marines on April 25. “I want to take this time to address you and tell you that my priorities,” Cao said in a 40-second recorded statement about 60 hours after being named to fill the role of Navy secretary. Cao said his first and foremost priority is to care for the sailors and Marines of the force. “We will take care of yo…
Hung Cao vows to accelerate Navy shipbuilding in first comments
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has vowed to ramp up shipbuilding in his first remarks since taking over for John Phelan, who was fired from the high-level role last week. In a roughly 40-second “message to the force” posted to X on Saturday, Cao outlined his three priorities for the Navy. “First and foremost is to take care of you. We will take care of your needs and make sure you can do the mission,” Cao said, directly addressing the sailors un…
Acting Navy secretary vows to build ships days after Phelan’s firing
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao on Saturday vowed to build ships after his predecessor, John Phelan, was fired this week amid President Trump’s push for accelerated shipbuilding. Cao posted a video to social media listing his priorities to service members in the Navy, starting off with taking “care of your needs and make sure you…
As Undersecretary of the Navy, Hung Cao — retired captain of that force and former Republican candidate to the Senate by Virginia — should have a broad portfolio of responsibilities as second-ranking civilian in the service, including...
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