Trump Taps Navy Veterans for Key Administration Posts, Filling Deputy Commerce and Under Secretary of Navy Roles
Former President Donald Trump has continued the process of filling out his administration, announcing late Thursday the selections for Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Under Secretary of the Navy. The appointments signal a continued focus on experience within both the military and private sectors. Trump has nominated Hung Cao, a former Virginia congressional candidate and retired Navy Captain, to serve as the Under Secretary of the Navy. Paul Dabbar, who previously served as Under Secretary of Energy for Science during Trump’s first term, will take on the role of Deputy Secretary of Commerce.
The announcement, characteristic of Trump’s communication style, was made via separate posts on his social media platform, Truth Social. He extended his congratulations to both men, highlighting their shared background as Navy veterans and graduates of the United States Naval Academy. The appointments add to the growing list of confirmed nominees, bringing the administration closer to fully staffed cabinet positions.
Cao’s nomination is particularly noteworthy given his compelling personal story. He arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1975, escaping Vietnam shortly before the fall of Saigon. His journey to the U.S. embodies the narrative of the "American Dream," and Trump emphasized this aspect in his announcement. Most recently, Cao ran for U.S. Senate in Virginia during the 2024 election, challenging incumbent Democrat Senator Tim Kaine. While he ultimately lost the election, Cao received Trump’s endorsement, suggesting a prior relationship and alignment of political views.
Prior to his political aspirations, Cao dedicated 25 years to the Navy, retiring as a Captain in Special Operations. His service included combat roles, underscoring his experience in challenging and high-stakes environments. He also gained experience within the Pentagon, where he was assigned to managing the Navy’s extensive $140 billion budget. This experience, blending both operational expertise and financial acumen, makes him a strong candidate for overseeing the Navy’s resources and strategic direction as Under Secretary.
Trump’s Truth Social post lauded Cao’s background, emphasizing his unique perspective as a refugee who achieved success through hard work and dedication. He highlighted Cao’s service in combat, his mastery of Physics, his time at the Naval Academy and his ability to understand and tackle the daunting responsibilities that come with leading in the armed forces. "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 wrote.
In response to the nomination, Cao expressed his gratitude to Trump via a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating "lets get to work," signaling his eagerness to begin serving in his new role.
The selection of Paul Dabbar as Deputy Secretary of Commerce also reflects Trump’s inclination to appoint individuals with both government experience and private sector expertise. Dabbar previously served in Trump’s Department of Energy as Under Secretary for Science. He has a strong foundation in energy, technology, and national security.
Before his time in government service, Dabbar served as a submarine officer in the Navy. Following his military career, he spent several years in the energy sector, working as a managing director at J.P. Morgan, a leading global financial services firm. This blend of military service, government experience, and financial industry knowledge positions him to contribute significantly to the Commerce Department’s mission of promoting economic growth and trade.
Trump indicated that Dabbar will work closely with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to "bring back American Leadership in Global Commerce, Trade, and Technology." The focus on reasserting American dominance in these key sectors aligns with Trump’s broader economic agenda of prioritizing domestic industries and fostering innovation.
Trump further emphasized Dabbar’s previous role as Under Secretary of Energy for Science, noting that he led the National Labs that originated with the Manhattan Project. He highlighted Dabbar’s involvement in advancing critical technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, energy dominance, and war-fighting capabilities. "Paul served as my Under Secretary of Energy for Science, where he lead the National Labs that started as the Manhattan Project, helping to drive semiconductors, AI, quantum, Energy Dominance, and our War-fighting capabilities," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The appointments of Cao and Dabbar represent a continuation of Trump’s strategy of filling key administration posts with individuals who possess a combination of military service, private sector experience, and loyalty to his political vision. These selections also highlight the administration’s focus on national security, economic competitiveness, and technological innovation.
While Trump still has hundreds of smaller positions to fill, these high-level appointments demonstrate progress in building out his administration’s leadership team. Out of the 22 nominations requiring Senate confirmation, 19 have been successfully confirmed as of Thursday, indicating a generally smooth confirmation process thus far. As the administration moves forward, it is expected that further appointments will be made to address remaining vacancies and ensure the full functionality of government operations. The appointments of these two veterans to these very important and crucial roles is being met with a generally positive outlook.
