Trump’s Nomination of Hung Cao as Navy Secretary Faces Waiver Hurdle

President Donald Trump officially nominated Hung Cao for Navy secretary after Cao had served as acting secretary since April. Because Cao retired as a Navy captain in 2021, federal law bars former officers from certain senior Pentagon posts for seven to ten years. To bypass the restriction, the nominee must obtain a congressional waiver, which requires a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate.

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Congressional waivers for former service members are rare but not unprecedented. Retired Marine Corps Gen. Jim Mattis and retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin each received waivers to become defense secretary under previous administrations. Cao’s own confirmation as undersecretary in February 2025 was narrowly approved by a 52-45 Senate vote, illustrating the partisan split that could reappear for the secretary nomination.

The Hill

Democratic senators have voiced strong reservations. Sen. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) cited “severe mishandling” of the USS Abraham Lincoln’s extended deployment and raised questions about funding and workforce issues at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Sen. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) referenced Cao’s past campaign remarks about “alpha males and alpha females” as evidence of poor judgment for senior leadership.

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If confirmed, Cao would oversee a Navy confronting multiple challenges: a strained budget, fleet readiness amid the ongoing Iran conflict, rising mental-health issues among sailors, and the administration’s plan to add heavily armed “Golden Fleet” vessels named after the president. The waiver process also means the House would need to hold hearings and votes, likely delayed until after the November midterm elections.

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• “Our Navy needs steady, experienced leadership that will prioritize our national security and the safety of our servicemembers above all else,” — Sen. Mazie Hirono

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