President Trump Taps Legendary Navy Vet for Top Military role

President Trump has tapped a decorated Navy veteran and refugee to serve at the highest levels of America’s sea service. The nomination of Vietnamese refugee-turned-military leader Hung Cao marks another chapter in Trump’s vision to restore military strength while rejecting the progressive agenda that has infiltrated the armed forces.

At a Glance

  • President Trump nominated former Navy Special Operations Officer Hung Cao as Under Secretary of the Navy
  • Cao fled Vietnam as a refugee, graduated from the Naval Academy, and served 25 years in the military
  • Trump described Cao as “the embodiment of the American Dream”
  • Cao has been vocal in opposing DEI initiatives in the military, calling for “alpha males and females”
  • The appointment requires Senate confirmation before Cao can assume the No. 2 position in the Navy

From Refugee to Naval Leader

President Donald Trump has nominated Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran and Vietnamese refugee, to serve as Under Secretary of the Navy. And the internet is going wild about it.

Cao’s remarkable journey from refugee to potential Navy leadership embodies the American dream that President Trump has consistently championed throughout his political career.

Since the announcement, Hung Cao’s old campaign videos have gone viral again on X. And you can see why:

Cao’s family fled Vietnam in 1975, seeking freedom in America. The Naval Academy graduate eventually rose through the ranks during his distinguished military career, serving as a Special Operations Officer with combat experience before working at the Pentagon. His nomination signals Trump’s intent to place military leadership back in the hands of battle-tested warriors rather than bureaucrats focused on social engineering.

President Trump offered high praise for his nominee, emphasizing Cao’s exemplary service record and dedication to the country that welcomed his family. The nomination aligns with Trump’s broader directive to eliminate controversial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives implemented during the Biden administration that many military experts believe have undermined combat readiness.

“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!” Trump said.

Cao will need Senate confirmation before assuming the Navy’s number two position, but his nomination has already generated enthusiastic support among conservatives and military veterans who have long criticized the leftward drift of America’s armed forces under Democrat leadership. The reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Trump’s selection of a combat veteran for this critical role.

Standing Against Military “Wokeness”

One of the biggest reasons people like Cao, outside of his obvious talent, is that he has been an outspoken critic of the Navy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which many conservatives argue have distracted from the military’s core mission of defending the nation. During his recent unsuccessful Senate campaign against Democrat Tim Kaine, Cao articulated a clear vision for military leadership that prioritizes strength and effectiveness over progressive ideology.

Despite failing in his political bids against Sen. Kaine in 2024 and Rep. Jennifer Wexton in Virginia’s 10th congressional district in 2022, Cao has remained popular among Republicans – and he’s about to get a whole lot more popular, too.

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