SPECIAL OPS VETERAN HUNG CAO WILL SERVE AS UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Hung Cao has strong support from many conservatives, the military community, those within the Asian community, and specifically, President Donald Trump. This is why it makes perfect sense that the POTUS is tapping the retired combat Veteran for the role of Under Secretary of the Navy. Learn more about Cao and why his experiences and political ties make him a common sense pick for the Trump administration.
Who Is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao is a retired Navy combat Veteran and former Republican candidate with a strong military and political background.
Born in Vietnam, Cao became a Sailor and even graduated from the Naval Academy in 1996 with an ocean engineering degree.
After 25 years in uniform, Cao transitioned to politics, running for Congress, and has even been a VP for a defense and intel contractor supporting government efforts.
Throughout his career, Cao has emphasized national security, military strength, and conservative leadership. Now, he’s getting the opportunity to bring all of these attributes to the table himself.
Trump Selects Special Ops Veteran for Navy Under Secretary
Former Virginia Senate candidate Hung Cao has been appointed as Under Secretary of the Navy, making him the second-highest civilian leader in the service.
The Naval Academy graduate and special operations Vet brings 25 years of military experience to the table, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
A major difference compared to Navy Secretary nominee John Phelan, who lacks military experience.
Furthermore, Cao has worked on the Navy budget at The Pentagon, and President Trump praised him as “the embodiment of the American Dream,” highlighting his journey from a Vietnamese refugee to serving in the military.
Cao previously ran for Senate in 2024, where he criticized diversity efforts in the military. In response to his appointment, he thanked Trump and stated, “It’s time to get to work.”
The Senate has yet to vote on Phelan’s confirmation; however, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll was approved earlier this week.
Hung Cao's Military Service
Cao is a very experienced warfighter, serving for two and a half decades as a Sailor and retiring as a Captain.
Not only did he serve in multiple countries, but he was the leader when the USNS Grasp was called upon to recover the bodies of the victims of the 1999 Martha's Vineyard plane crash.
Captain Cao is a decorated Veteran with multiple honors due to his illustrious career of service. Now, it looks like his unique perspective and experience are going to directly influence how the Navy operates.
Why Hung Cao Makes Sense
Hung Cao’s nomination as Under Secretary of the Navy reflects the Trump administration’s focus on reshaping military leadership.
One notable characteristic of Cao is his criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military, particularly opposing the Navy using drag performers in its recruitment efforts.
Whether or not you agree with Cao's viewpoints, it's clear that they align with the Trump administration.
Cao is calling for “alpha males and females” to strengthen the force, which will likely ruffle the feathers of Senate Democrats.
Beyond recruitment policies, Cao wants to improve national security, advocating for stricter border control and warning about perceived threats to democracy, including China, and managing an aging fleet plagued by delays and budget overruns.
The addition of Hung Cao continues the trend of Trump working with personnel that are more aligned with the same goals and viewpoints to ensure a smoother execution of his administration takes place this time around.
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