Trump Names Hung Cao Under Secretary of Navy, Signals Tough Maritime Stance
Washington, D.C. – On February 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Hung Cao as Under Secretary of the Navy, the second-highest civilian role in the naval branch. Cao, a retired Navy captain and former Virginia Senate candidate, brings a compelling personal story and extensive military expertise to the position. Trump revealed the nomination via his Truth Social platform, hailing Cao as “the embodiment of the American Dream.”
Born in Vietnam, Cao escaped with his family as a refugee in 1975, mere days before the fall of Saigon to communist forces. Arriving in the United States as a young child, he overcame significant challenges to forge a distinguished career. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cao earned a master’s degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School and later secured fellowships at MIT and Harvard. During his 25-year Navy tenure, he served as a special operations officer, deploying to combat zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, and contributed to financial oversight at the Pentagon by helping balance the Navy’s budget.
Cao’s remarkable journey—from a refugee fleeing Vietnam to a decorated naval officer—resonated deeply with Trump, who praised his unwavering loyalty to the nation that welcomed his family. “With Hung’s experience in combat and the Pentagon, he will get the job done,” Trump wrote, underscoring his trust in Cao’s ability to deliver results. This aligns with Trump’s broader push to appoint battle-hardened leaders. Cao responded on X, thanking the president and declaring, “It’s time to get to work,” signaling his readiness to tackle the role.
Cao gained national attention during his 2024 Senate campaign against Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), which he ultimately lost. His candidacy stood out for his outspoken criticism of military diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which he argued diluted focus on recruiting what he termed “alpha males and females.” This position likely aligns with Trump’s preference for a merit-driven, toughness-first military ethos, though it also sparked controversy among critics who saw it as dismissive of broader inclusivity efforts.
While the nomination was announced in February 2025, Cao’s prominence had already begun to rise around the Republican National Convention on July 16, 2024, where his story and views gained traction among party supporters. The appointment reflects Trump’s intent to strengthen naval leadership with seasoned veterans as the U.S. confronts escalating maritime challenges, particularly from China’s expanding naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. Cao’s blend of operational experience and his immigrant-to-leader narrative make him both a symbolic and strategic pick. However, his confirmation by the Senate—required for the Under Secretary role—may face hurdles, given the polarizing rhetoric from his campaign trail.
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