Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth operates a touch screen to remotely control a helicopter from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in Arlington, Va., Nov. 14, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)
Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy, delivers his remarks during the commissioning ceremony for USS Idaho (SSN 799) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. on April 25, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by John Narewski)
Sources said recent personnel changes and reversal of a reorganization effort launched by Cao’s predecessor, John Phelan, have left some officials "in shock."