Trump nominates loyalist Hung Cao to be permanent navy secretary

Acting secretary picked for top role as critics accuse president of overworking sailors during war with Iran

Trump nominates loyalist Hung Cao to be permanent navy secretary

TL;DR

  • Donald Trump nominated acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for the permanent role.
  • Cao is a combat veteran with 25 years of service in the Navy.
  • Critics, including Democrats, accuse Trump of overworking sailors during the Iran war.
  • Concerns were raised about the USS Abraham Lincoln's nine-month deployment and its impact on crew mental health and supplies.
  • Cao previously supported service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The nomination comes amid other leadership changes in the US military, including the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.