A top official in United States Department of the Navy stunned lawmakers after refusing to walk back disturbing remarks about soldiers “ripping out guts” and “asking for seconds” during a tense congressional hearing.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao was grilled Thursday before the House Armed Services Committee over bizarre comments he made during his failed 2024 Senate campaign — and instead of apologizing, he doubled down.
The exchange immediately triggered backlash online.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan confronted Cao directly during the hearing while discussing the Pentagon’s budget request for fiscal year 2027.
She quoted his controversial debate remarks word-for-word.
“You said, ‘what we need is alpha male and alpha females who are going to rip out their guts, eat them, and ask for seconds,’” Houlahan told him.
Then she asked the question many expected would force a retreat:
“Did you say that, and do you stand by that?”
Cao’s answer shocked the room.
“Absolutely, ma’am,” he replied. “I did say that, and I stand by it.”
The original remarks were made during a 2024 televised Senate debate against Tim Kaine while Cao criticized diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military.
At the time, Cao argued the armed forces needed tougher recruits prepared to dominate enemies in combat.
Now, as acting Navy secretary under Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Cao appears unwilling to soften the rhetoric — even under direct questioning in Congress.
Cao is a retired Navy captain who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia before entering politics. Despite losing his Virginia Senate race by nine points, he was elevated into one of the Pentagon’s highest-ranking civilian positions earlier this year after the abrupt removal of former Navy Secretary John Phelan.
Critics quickly seized on the exchange, accusing the administration of glorifying extremism and toxic military culture.
Supporters, meanwhile, defended Cao’s remarks as hyperbole meant to emphasize toughness and battlefield readiness.
But the hearing once again underscored how increasingly combative rhetoric inside Trump’s second administration continues to spark controversy both inside Congress and across social media.