Newly appointed Acting Navy Secretary Hung Kao earned a reputation on the campaign trail as a partisan firebrand out of step with some of Donald Trump’s most controversial policies.
But inside the Pentagon — where he served as undersecretary of the Navy until his sudden promotion on Wednesday — Cao has built enough credibility to make a quick study of shipbuilding and manage turmoil at the service after turnover last year, according to four people familiar with the dynamics.
The sudden departure of his predecessor, John Phelan, as secretary of state comes at a time when his service is grappling with multiple blockades around the world, the war in Iran and a growing threat from China’s expanding navy. But for all of Cao’s culture warrior credentials and political baggage, the military and officials around him say he is a straight shooter — and he has the full support of the White House.
His promotion also marks a significant moment for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose decision to fire Phelan appears to have been made on Trump’s behalf — despite the president’s longtime relationship with the wealthy financier.
“The President is really excited about shipbuilding, and it’s not happening at the pace he’d like to see,” a senior administration official said. “He and Pete met on Monday night to talk it over and by the end of the meeting they decided it was time for Phelan to move on.”
Trump on Thursday characterized Fallon’s departure as his decision and called him a “longtime friend.” on social media “Who did an “excellent job” of leading the Navy for a little over a year.
But Kao, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican against the Virginia senator. tim kaineThe former investment banker and Trump donor is more in line with Hegseth’s social and cultural views than Phelan.
“When you’re using drag queens to recruit from the Navy, these are not the people you want,” Kaine said in a debate with Kaine last year. “We need alpha males and alpha females who will tear out their own intestines, eat them and ask for seconds. Those are the young men and women who are going to win the war.”
Cao, a former refugee who immigrated to the United States from Vietnam as a child, spent more than two decades in the Navy, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. One of the people familiar said Cao was scheduled to visit the White House on Wednesday to talk about his plans for acting work.
“He’s worked in the building, is a Navy officer, and he has the political support in both the administration and the Navy — in theory — to be effective enough and get the job done,” said one industry official, who like others was interviewed on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations. The person said Cao was “very sharp” on details of shipbuilding programs “which is rare for a high-level political appointee.”
Kao said in an email statement that he is “grateful” for the opportunity to serve in the Navy’s top role on an acting basis. “I am out with the duties and responsibilities of the office,” he said. “My immediate priorities are to take care of our sailors and Marines, advance shipbuilding initiatives, and ensure the defense of our homeland.”
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Kao “epitomizes the tireless grit and America First approach required to maintain America’s maritime superiority.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The senior administration official said Fallon did not want to listen to Hegseth and came to the West Wing lobby to talk to Trump. “Finally, the President brought him in for two minutes and reiterated that he had to leave.”
Phelan did not respond to requests for comment.
Congressional Democrats immediately criticized Cao’s new role.
Sen andy kim (D.N.J.) written on x That it was foolish to make such a dramatic leadership change in the midst of a war with Iran. “In the face of losses, our soldiers deserve better,” he said, citing Cao’s alpha male remarks.
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee said they are concerned about Cao’s temperament and ability to step into a senior leadership role, even if temporarily.
Representative. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) called Cao “yet another example of bringing chaos into the military.” Representative. eugene vindman (D-Va.) said he did not believe Cao would bring stability to the key military role.
“He is an unsuccessful candidate for Congress from Virginia,” he said. “The people of Virginia didn’t think much of him, but now he is somehow qualified to lead the Navy in this administration.”
Phelan’s departure — and Cao’s promotion — comes as U.S. warships conduct a series of missions around the Middle East and South America.
USS Gerald R. The Ford aircraft carrier this month broke a modern record for the longest deployment at sea, lasting nearly 10 months. Lawmakers are also warning about a flood of ships that will need maintenance work upon returning from the conflict, potentially flooding U.S. shipyards.
It is not clear how long Cao’s problem will last. There is no indication yet that Trump is ready to nominate Cao or anyone else to the post permanently. Kao was confirmed to the role of undersecretary of state last summer in a narrow party-line vote by the Senate, with every Democrat and one Republican among senators. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) – His nomination was opposed.
The sluggish pace of efforts to expand the fleet to 350 ships or more will remain a main focus of lawmakers no matter who Trump chooses. Sen jim banks (R-Ind.), a Trump loyalist, Warned that China has advantage in shipbuilding “Increases every day.”
He said, “The next Navy Secretary must work urgently with Congress to make American shipbuilding great again, before it is too late.”
But House Armed Services Committee members, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said he has full confidence in Kao, whom he has worked with for years through the Virginia Republican Party.
“She is very capable,” he said. “Where he’s been working at the Pentagon, he’s had situational awareness of all the things that are going on. So he’s well equipped to meet the challenges ahead.”
