Full Breakdown
Hung Cao Named Acting Secretary of the Navy Amid Controversial Past
4/25/2026, 9:44:16 AM
Acting Secretary Appointment Amid Iran Conflict
Pentagon announced Navy captain Hung Cao will serve as acting Secretary of the Navy after John Phelan’s departure. The change comes as U.S. enters a phase of its conflict with Iran. Cao, confirmed as undersecretary in October after a party-line Senate vote, assumes civilian role pending an appointment.
Political History and Controversial Campaign Remarks
Cao entered Virginia politics as a Republican. He lost 2024 Senate race to Democrat Tim Kaine by eight points and ran for House in 2022. Interviews claimed Monterey, California, is “a dark place… with a lot of witchcraft,” noted his self-identification as African-American from childhood in Africa, and joked about wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood.
Official Pentagon Release and Cao’s First Message
Pentagon confirmed Cao’s appointment and noted Phelan’s departure “effective immediately.” In his message to Navy personnel, Cao said the mission remains unchanged, emphasizing continuity.
Media Critique of Prior Statements
Analysis flags Cao’s prior statements as problematic for leadership. Critics cite his 2023 claim that Monterey is dominated by witchcraft, his 2024 debate remarks urging “alpha males and alpha females” to “rip out their own guts, eat them, and ask for seconds,” and his 2022 comparison of abortion policy to Nazi atrocities, arguing the rhetoric conflicts with expectations for a Navy secretary.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s a place in Monterey, California called Lover’s Point. The original name was Lovers of Christ Point. Now it’s become, they took out the Christ. It’s Lover’s Point. And it’s really, Monterrey is a dark place now, a lot of witchcraft and the Wiccan community has really taken over there,” — Hung Cao, interview with Sean Feucht
- “And I’m African American because I grew up in Africa too,” — Hung Cao, interview with Sean Feucht
- “When you’re using a drag queen to recruit for the Navy, that’s not the people we want,” — Hung Cao, 2024 campaign debate
- “What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them, and ask for seconds. Those are young men and women that are going to win wars.” — Hung Cao, 2024 campaign debate
- “The Nazis did this. They take Jewish babies and just take the legs and just smash the babies and kill them. You think that can’t happen in this country?” — Hung Cao, 2022 remarks on abortion legislation
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The story relies on an outlet with a score of 32.53. Daily Beast sought comment from the Navy, but no response was reported; no other sources corroborate the quoted remarks, leaving verification limited.
Outlook for Navy Leadership
Cao’s tenure will overlap operations against Iran and challenges. Observers note his leadership style and statements could affect morale and external perception of the Navy’s command, and oversight may follow.
