President Donald Trump on Thursday announced his nomination of former GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao to be the next Under Secretary of the Navy.
“Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream,” Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social. “As a refugee to our Great Nation, Hung worked tirelessly to make proud the Country that gave his family a home. He went to our amazing United States Naval Academy, and later earned his Master’s Degree in Physics. Hung served in combat as a Special Operations Officer for twenty five years. With Hung’s experience both in combat, and in the Pentagon, he will get the job done. Congratulations to Hung, and his wonderful family!”
A Navy captain from Loudoun County, Cao has served in the branch for 25 years.
Cao made a name for himself nationally as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2024, running against incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and stumping for Trump's presidential campaign at the Republican National Convention and while Trump made campaign stops in the commonwealth.
As a candidate, Cao criticized what he described as Navy, "diversity, equity and inclusion" efforts.
“When you’re using a drag queen to recruit for the Navy, that’s not the people we want,” Cao said during his debate with Kaine. “What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them, and ask for seconds. Those are the young men and women that are going to win wars.”
Sen. Kaine went on to defeat Cao in that race; 54.3% to 45.4%.
Cao has also run for office in Virginia's 10th US Congressional district in 2022, losing to former Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton; 53.2% to 46.7%. That seat is now held by Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam. (WUSA9)
Cao thanked the president and said it was "time to get to work."
Thank you, Mr. President. It’s time to get to work. pic.twitter.com/6DfHr91aTK
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) February 28, 2025
The pick was widely praised on social media.
Huge congrats to Hung Cao!!
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) February 28, 2025
He’s going to be a massive combat multiplier for our Navy!!
Let’s roll! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/6kjfrHjppq
Pentagon is getting STACKED.
— Gabrielle Cuccia (@gabbycuccia) February 28, 2025
Retired Navy Captain Hung Cao, a Vietnamese refugee who arrived in the United States in 1975, has had a distinguished military career, including service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
He has also held significant non-combat roles, such as… https://t.co/A5uDCq2S5S pic.twitter.com/htRKaXXhDk
President Trump just announced Hung Cao as Under Secretary of the United States Navy.
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 28, 2025
Cao ran for Senate in Virginia last year and made waves with his amazing life story.
pic.twitter.com/cK2AUFg5Zo
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