(The Center Square) — President Donald Trump has nominated retired Navy captain Hung Cao to serve as Under Secretary of the Navy, citing his military experience and budgetary expertise.
Cao, a Virginia resident and former Republican Senate candidate, has been an outspoken advocate for military readiness and fiscal responsibility.
“Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream,” Trump said in his announcement. “As a refugee to our Great Nation, Hung worked tirelessly to make proud the Country that gave his family a home. With Hung’s experience both in combat and in the Pentagon, he will get the job done.”
Cao, who served 25 years as a Special Operations Officer, saw combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Beyond the battlefield, Cao worked at the Pentagon, helping to shape defense budgets.
Reflecting on that experience, Cao wrote on X, “I spent four years at the Pentagon shaping budgets for next-gen equipment, and I saw how 15 years of Continuing Resolutions stalled our technological edge against China. It’s time to invest in defense technology development once again.”
His nomination reflects Trump’s focus on military preparedness, including criticism of Pentagon policies related to DEI and climate change. “Our military should be concentrating on warfighting capabilities and capacity, not wasting resources on DEI and climate agendas,” he wrote.
Cao has also highlighted inefficiencies in military spending, pointing to the Pentagon’s repeated audit failures. “Last year, the Pentagon failed its 7th straight audit. That’s unacceptable. I balanced the Navy’s $140 billion budget at the Pentagon and know how important it is to manage our national security and know where every dollar is going,” he stated.
Before President Trump’s nomination, Cao had previously run for the U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2024, challenging incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat. His campaign focused on military readiness and government accountability. Cao lost the race as Kaine secured a third term.
If confirmed, Cao will be responsible for helping lead naval operations, shaping defense policies, and addressing financial oversight within the service.
