Senate Confirms Hung Cao as Undersecretary of Navy Amid Partisan Vote

Hung Cao, a retired Navy Captain and former Republican Senate candidate from Virginia, has been confirmed by the Senate as the Under Secretary of the Navy, the service's second-highest civilian official, in a 52-45 party-line vote. Nominated by President Trump, who praised Cao as the "embodiment of the American Dream," Cao brings extensive military experience, including service as a special operations officer in explosive ordnance disposal and diving. Cao has been a vocal critic of the Defense Department's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, blaming them for recruitment challenges, and has advocated for a military focused on lethality and rebuilding amid rising strategic threats. His nomination faced opposition from Democrats due to his controversial statements, including criticism of Navy recruiting practices and U.S. allies, but Republicans highlighted his distinguished military career and commitment to restoring U.S. naval strength. Concurrently, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas was nominated to lead U.S. Fleet Forces Command, reflecting broader leadership changes in the Navy. Cao's confirmation occurred amid a government shutdown initiated by congressional Democrats, underscoring ongoing partisan tensions in defense policy and funding.