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In new audio, GOP Senate nominee Hung Cao calls NATO employees lazy

Hung Cao, the Republican challenging Tim Kaine for his U.S. Senate seat this year, is no stranger to controversial remarks.

He called the Staunton News Leader a “podunk local newspaper” after it published a story investigating how his super PAC used donor funds. In a YouTube interview with a far-right pastor, he said a part of California had been taken over by witchcraft and warned against it spreading to Virginia.

Now, Cao has taken aim at a major Norfolk employer. In audio provided to The Virginian-Pilot, Cao said North Atlantic Treaty Organization employees only work a few hours a day.

“They are freaking lazy,” Cao said. “They just don’t do (expletive). They don’t do anything.”

Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran who has served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, made the remarks during a May 7 campaign event with Log Cabin Republicans of Richmond.

In the recording, Cao is asked by an attendee about U.S. troops in Germany. He then begins to describe what he claims is an average day for a European NATO worker: starting around 9 a.m. each morning then stopping for lunch around 11 a.m. or noon.

“They take a two-hour lunch because they take a nap afterwards,” Cao said.

He added that after working from 1-3 p.m., the employees then go home to play soccer. During the remarks, Cao also said NATO stands for “Needs Americans to operate.”

In an emailed statement, Cao said he deployed with NATO.

NATO, a post-World War II alliance of North American and European military powers, has maintained a presence in Norfolk since 1952. The city is home to the only two NATO commands in North America: Allied Command Transformation and Joint Force Command Norfolk.

Hundreds of military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries live in Norfolk, according to the organization’s website. A consultant has even recommended the city highlight the organization as part of redeveloping the MacArthur Center downtown.

Spokespersons for NATO in Norfolk did not respond to requests for comment.

In his statement, Cao said he witnessed the short workdays and siestas. He also said other NATO countries do not spend enough on their militaries.

“Our allies need to step up and be more responsible for their own defense,” Cao said in the statement.

The viewpoint is shared by former President Donald Trump, who has even suggested Russia could do what its wants with countries who do not spend enough on defense, according to the Associated Press.

Michael Beyer, communications director for Kaine’s campaign, said in a statement that Cao was denigrating Virginians who protect democracy at home and abroad.

“Sen. Kaine knows we are strongest when we link arms with our allies, which is why he passed into law critical bipartisan legislation guaranteeing that no U.S. president can withdraw from this crucial alliance that is foundational to our national security, and he will continue to protect NATO as U.S. Senator,” Beyer said.

Kaine, seeking his third Senate term, defeated Republican Corey Stewart by 16 percentage points in 2018. His seat is listed as safe Democrat by Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a political analysis newsletter run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, [email protected]