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Posted on 04/22/2026 3:36:43 PM PDT by dennisw
President Trump is replacing his Secretary of the Navy as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues as a key chokepoint in the war against Iran.
John Phelan is leaving, effective immediately, and Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Pentagon said Wednesday in a surprise announcement. No reason was given for his departure.
“Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Cao, a Navy veteran and failed Virginia Senate candidate, is well-liked by the president.
The secretary of the Navy oversees more than 900,000 people and an annual budget of more than $210 billion.
But the role of late has had one major task: leading the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The Navy is the lead military branch on that mission.
The Strait is essentially in lockdown as the US and Iran remain in a stalemate on peace talks.
Cao is a Vietnamese refugee who came to Virginia as a child and graduated from the US Naval Academy. He was in the service for 25 years with postings in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
Trump praised his personal story and his military experience when he announced Cao’s nomination for undersecretary.
“Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream. As a refugee to our Great Nation, Hung worked tirelessly to make proud the Country that gave his family a home,” the president said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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“Cao is a wartime consigliere”
He looks Chinese, so he is going to Sun Tsu the IRGC so bad, they will give up on Islam. Cao will come up with a good plan for taking Kharg Island, if we must. Navy/Marines will be the invasion force.
Hung Cao’s 30 Years in the Navy
Hung Cao’s Navy career spanned over 30 years, from 1989 to 2021. He entered the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit in 1989 and was commissioned as a Special Operations Officer from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 United States Navy+1.
Cao’s service included multiple high-profile roles:
Navy Diver leading underwater missions worldwide.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer conducting counter-improvised threat missions for Special Warfare and Special Forces, with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia United States Navy.
Special Operations Officer leading sensitive activities, exploitation, counter-messaging, and counter-drone operations for Geographic Combatant Commanders and Special Operations Command United States Navy.
He retired in October 2021 as a Captain, having served in both combat and support capacities, and was recognized as a decorated combat veteran with expertise in special operations, EOD, diving, and surface warfare United States Navy+1.
After retiring, Cao transitioned into the civilian sector, working as Vice President and Client Executive at CACI International, where he oversaw electronic warfare, counter-drone technology, and shipyard infrastructure optimization for the Department of the Navy United States Navy.
In 2025, he was confirmed as Under Secretary of the Navy, serving as the Department’s Chief Operating and Management Officer, overseeing nearly one million personnel and a budget exceeding $250 billion United States Navy+1.
So while his active-duty service was longer than 22 years, his Navy career was indeed extensive, marked by combat deployments, specialized technical expertise, and leadership in critical operational areas.
Well mega campaign donor to the GOP and traveler in the investment banking circle makes him qualified. Right?
As with many other Trump appointments, the President has not been served well.
No, not at all. Trump wants people who produce results. Not people who sit around and look good.
I think I read Phelan was on some Epstein list.
The Sec. of the Navy isn’t a cabinet Secretary. He’s (essentially) an Under-Secretary.
Iran can get stuff by rail from China and via the Caspian Sea from Russia.
Iran has about 90 million people and its domestic gasoline market is about as big as that of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia combined.
SecNav is not a cabinet position. It is an appointed position, but not cabinet level. Problem is he had limited naval/war experience and we’re in the middle of a hot naval war. Needs naval experience.
Gantry cranes are needed to unload cargo container ships.
p
Hung Cao is the real deal.
His political commercial is based.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBUE5uft_9k
Hung Cao sounds like the name of a chinese national.
Taking Kharg Island by vertical envelopment will be easy.
The evacuation will be bloody and very expensive, if it is possible at all.
ung Cao is a retired U.S. Navy Captain (1989–2021) and decorated Special Operations Officer (EOD/Diving) who served over 30 years, including duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. As of October 2025, he serves as the 35th Under Secretary of the Navy. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Specialization: Navy Special Operations Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Diving Officer, and Naval Parachutist.
Service Time: 1989–2021.
Combat Experience: Served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
Education: Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (1996) and earned a Master’s in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School (2008). He was born in Vietnam, and came to the US at age 4 with his family as refugees.
Hung Cao is gung ho! Unleash Hung Cao and Chiang Kai-shek!
I don’t think we can go wrong with Hung Cao.
The way they announced it, it sounds like he disobeyed a direct order.
Only if they quit before the job is done.
Cao is a Vietnamese refugee who came to Virginia as a child and graduated from the US Naval Academy
Yeah!
If I recall correctly, Phelan has a background in ship building. Hung Cao is great! I voted for him in the Virginia senate primary and General elections.
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