President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is nominating Hung Cao to serve permanently as Secretary of the Navy, elevating the retired Navy captain who has led the Department of the Navy in an acting capacity since April.

Trump praised Cao as a “true WARRIOR” and urged the Senate to move quickly on his confirmation, saying Cao should be allowed to continue the work he has already undertaken at the Navy. Cao responded that it was an “honor of a lifetime” to lead the Navy and Marine Corps and pledged to continue focusing on shipbuilding and defending the homeland.

Cao served 25 years in the Navy after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. His military career included special operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving assignments, as well as deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired with the rank of captain before entering politics.

Before becoming acting secretary, Cao served as the Senate-confirmed Undersecretary of the Navy. He assumed the acting secretary position after former Navy Secretary John Phelan was removed in April.

The nomination comes as the Trump administration pushes to expand American shipbuilding and strengthen the Navy’s ability to meet growing challenges from major global powers. Cao has made shipbuilding and sailors' quality of life priorities during his time leading the department.

Cao, a Vietnamese refugee who came to the United States as a child, later became a Republican political candidate in Virginia. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022 and challenged Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine in 2024 before joining the Trump administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Cao would formally take over leadership of the Department of the Navy, which oversees both the Navy and Marine Corps.