Trump nominates loyalist Hung Cao to be permanent navy secretary – US politics live

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Published: 2026-09-02T11:46:47.438Z • Permanent link

Hung Cao, a loyalist to former President Donald Trump, has been nominated by Trump to serve as the permanent Secretary of the United States Navy. Cao has been serving as acting navy secretary since John Phelan departed the job unexpectedly in late April. Phelan's departure was sudden and without explanation, leaving the navy without a permanent leader. Cao's nomination is seen as a move to consolidate Trump's power and influence over the military. As acting navy secretary, Cao has been responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the navy, including personnel management, budgeting, and procurement. Cao's loyalty to Trump has been a subject of controversy, with some critics accusing him of being a Trump sycophant. Cao's nomination is also seen as a test of Trump's ability to appoint a high-ranking official without Senate confirmation.

Cao's background is marked by controversy, with some questioning his qualifications for the job. Cao has been a vocal supporter of Trump's policies, including his hardline stance on immigration and his support for the military's expansion of its role in the Middle East. Cao's appointment has also raised concerns about the potential impact on the navy's relationships with other countries, particularly allies in the region. Cao's nomination has been met with resistance from some lawmakers, who have expressed concerns about his qualifications and his potential to undermine the independence of the navy. Cao's supporters, on the other hand, argue that he is a highly qualified candidate who is well-suited to the job.

Trump's decision to nominate Cao for the permanent secretary position is seen as a reflection of his broader strategy to consolidate power and influence over the military. Trump has long been critical of the military's role in American politics, and has sought to reduce the influence of the military in the political process. Cao's appointment is seen as a key part of this strategy, and raises questions about the potential impact on the military's ability to function independently.

Cao's nomination has significant implications for the Data Sources domain, particularly for companies and research communities that rely on the navy's data and expertise. The navy is a major source of data on global maritime trade and security, and its expertise is highly valued by companies and researchers in the field. Cao's appointment raises concerns about the potential impact on the navy's ability to provide accurate and unbiased data, particularly if he is seen as beholden to Trump's policies. The Teamsters union, which represents navy personnel, has also come out in support of Cao's nomination, arguing that he is a qualified candidate who is committed to the welfare of navy personnel.

The impact of Cao's nomination on the Data Sources domain is also likely to be felt in the world of research and analysis. Researchers and analysts rely heavily on the navy's data and expertise to inform their work, and any changes to the navy's leadership or operations could have significant implications for the field. The nomination of Cao raises questions about the potential impact on the independence of the navy's research and analysis functions, and whether he will be able to maintain the navy's commitment to providing accurate and unbiased data.

Cao's nomination is part of a broader pattern of Trump's efforts to consolidate power and influence over the military. Trump has long been critical of the military's role in American politics, and has sought to reduce the influence of the military in the political process. This strategy has been driven by Trump's desire to reduce the role of the military in domestic politics, and to increase his own influence over the military's operations. Trump's decision to nominate Cao for the permanent secretary position is seen as a key part of this strategy, and raises questions about the potential impact on the military's ability to function independently.