On October 1, federal lawmakers confirmed Trump's nomination of Cao to serve as the Under Secretary of the Navy. The confirmation passed largely along party lines in a 52-45 vote.
Cao, a Vietnamese refugee who arrived in Virginia as a child, is a decorated veteran who served for decades in the U.S. Navy. President Trump cited this extensive combat and leadership experience when he first announced the nomination on his Truth Social platform in February:
“I am pleased to announce that Hung Cao will be our next Under Secretary of the United States Navy," the President wrote. "Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream. As a refugee to our Great Country, Hung has worked tirelessly to bring honor to the nation that gave his family a home. He attended our great United States Naval Academy and then earned a Master’s Degree in Physics. Hung served in combat as a Special Operations Officer for 25 years. With Hung’s experience both in combat and at the Pentagon, he will do a fantastic job. Congratulations to Hung and his wonderful family!”
A Politically Charged Confirmation
The confirmation vote was marked by a notable political dynamic, as both of Cao's home-state senators, Tim Kaine (D) and Mark Warner (D), voted against his confirmation.
This opposition stems from recent political history. In 2024, Cao, with a strong endorsement from then-candidate Trump, launched a high-profile campaign to unseat Senator Kaine. The race was closely watched, but Kaine ultimately defeated Cao, securing a victory margin of 16 percentage points over his challenger.
The vote against Cao's confirmation by his former political rival highlights the partisan tensions surrounding the appointment. Despite Cao's extensive military qualifications, his recent challenge to a sitting Democratic senator made the confirmation a contentious issue for Virginia's delegation.
As Under Secretary, Cao will serve as the second-highest-ranking civilian leader in the Department of the Navy, responsible for managing the department's budget, personnel, and day-to-day operations on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.