Trump taps Hung Cao for Navy secretary amid Pentagon turmoil

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump is nominating acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for the position on a permanent basis, looking to fill a vacancy in the military’s top leadership at a time when the Iran war has prompted concerns over the impact on personnel and readiness.Trump announced his decision on Sept 1 on social media, urging the US Senate to confirm Cao quickly. The American military has experienced unprecedented turmoil within its leadership, including a number of resignations and firings under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The previous Navy secretary, John Phelan, was fired earlier in 2026 after ruin-ins with top leaders at the Pentagon, including Hegseth, over Trump’s push to build a new “Golden Fleet.”And on Aug 31, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to