Trump announced on Truth Social he would nominate the former candidate for Virginia senator and former Navy veteran for the second-highest official of the Navy.
WASHINGTON — President Trump announced on Thursday night that he would be nominating Hung Cao, the former Senate candidate for Virginia, for Under Secretary of the Navy. The under secretary is the second-highest position of the Navy.
Trump’s announcement reads:
I am pleased to announce that Hung Cao will be our next United States Under Secretary of the Navy. Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream. 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!
Cao is a retired Navy Captain, a Naval Academy graduate, and served with special operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. He came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam in 1975.
Cao ran and lost in 2022 for Virginia’s 10th congressional district to Jennifer Wexton. He then challenged Sen. Tim Kaine’s seat in 2024 and lost, with Kaine taking 54% of the state’s vote to Cao’s 45%.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Cao posted on X in response to Trump’s announcement. “It’s time to get to work.”