Pundits and analysts will scratch their heads for years to come, trying to understand how Donald Trump won an unprecedented second term. With an overwhelming majority in the popular vote and the Electoral College, expert models, polls and “vibes” never prepared them for this upset as they gleefully and obediently prepared for President Kamala Harris. Thankfully, looking beyond the political rhetoric, America dodged a big bullet Nov. 5th.
After twenty-five years in Navy Special Operations, including combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, and managing a $140 billion budget for our military, I cannot help but assess threats wherever I go. I look for potential dangers – finding primary and secondary escape points when I walk into a room, step out of a vehicle or fly into a new area. Threat assessment is merely putting yourself in the enemy’s place and determining where they would strike.
So, what are the threats that lurk in our shadows?
Over the last four years, I have witnessed the rapid decline of safety and security in our country. Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, America’s enemies have numerous options to attack – whether through a military that aids our enemies and leaves our allies behind, a wide-open southern border or leaders more focused on the issues that divide us.
The Biden-Harris administration left our military and allies at risk during the disastrous and tragic Afghanistan withdrawal that left eleven Marines, one sailor and one soldier dead. We saw the Pentagon obsess over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; hiring drag queens instead of addressing all-time lows in military recruitment. Our Democrat leaders’ complacency led our country down a dark path of rising crime rates, terror attacks and wars across the world.
Under President Trump, that all ends. One of my greatest honors is proudly serving our country. I spent twenty-five years in the Navy to repay my debt to America – the country that saved my life.
We must undo the Biden-Harris administration’s failures and rebuild our military. We need to modernize and innovate our armed services. Fifteen years of infighting within Congress, an inability to get things done and Continuing Resolutions have hampered our ability to compete with China and Russia in technological innovation. I spent four years in the Pentagon managing a $140 billion budget, defining requirements and next-generation equipment for Sailors. I understand how our leaders have placed unnecessary restraints on the military defense industry.
The truth is that the United States is trailing far behind our adversaries. A potential conflict against China will be predominantly a Navy and Marine Corps fight. Deferred upkeep and maintenance, compounded by supply chain shortages, have left us with a Navy fleet consisting of ships that cannot get underway, aircraft that cannot fly and submarines that cannot dive. The workforce industrial base cannot produce ships and submarines at the rate needed to attain the required 350 inventory for any worldwide response quickly. Furthermore, the antiquated acquisition process has caused serious delays in the production of the next generation of submarines and frigates. We need new leaders to balance the capacity and capabilities of the Navy.
Simply put, if we cannot have more ships and submarines in time then we must make the existing ships more lethal with electronic warfare and hypersonic weapons. Again, this takes visionary leadership which has been nonexistent in the Pentagon.
But even if the Navy has all the ships and aircraft it requires, it does not have the manpower required to operate. We need alpha men and women — the best of the best — to want to serve our country. With a strong Commander-in-Chief like President Trump who respects their service and will continue to give them the resources they need, we can rebuild our military.
On Nov. 5th, a silent majority said, ‘Enough is enough’ and elected President Trump. Enough of putting illegal aliens before our homeless veterans. Enough of enabling China, Russia and North Korea while stifling our allies like Israel.
Yes, America dodged a big one one on election day. Our country’s motto is E Pluribus Unum: Out of many, One. We are not bigots, racists, deplorables or garbage. We are Americans! President Trump is here to save America and our best days are ahead of us. I stand with millions of other Americans ready to step up and do anything President Trump needs to serve this country.
Hung Cao is a retired Navy Captain who served in Special Operations for 25 years. CAPT Cao is the author of Call Me an American, serves as a senior advisor with POLARIS National Security and was the 2024 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Virginia.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller.