06/23/2026
For Press Release
May 28 2026
Criminal Investigation Offices/AFLC
10 Brookley Ave ., #8329 , Bolling Air Force base , DC 20032.
[email protected]
The Honorable Hung Cao
Secretary of the Navy
United States Department of the Navy
Washington, D.C.
RE: Request to Raise Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Pending U.S. Federal Litigation During Official Engagements with the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Dear Secretary Cao:
I respectfully write to request that, during any official meetings, diplomatic engagements, or business discussions with representatives of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, you raise concerns regarding the pending federal lawsuit:
John Doe v. Socialist Republic of Vietnam, et al.
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Case No. 1:25-cv-03226
According to the pleadings filed with the Court, the action alleges serious violations of United States and international law, including kidnapping, torture, attempted extrajudicial killing, unlawful detention, and acts alleged to have been committed by officials and agents of the Government of Vietnam against a United States citizen and disabled veteran as a US High Ranking Legal Officer for the Military/Courts.The complaint further seeks relief under the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) and the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).
The court record reflects that an Entry of Default was entered against multiple Defendants including Communist Secretary To Lam on February 11, 2026,SR Vietnam in February 2006 after the defendant allegedly failed to plead or otherwise defend following service of process. While the litigation remains pending and final adjudication rests exclusively with the federal judiciary, the existence of this matter raises significant concerns regarding human rights, accountability, and the treatment of United States citizens abroad.
As a Vietnamese-American senior official serving the United States Government and as a representative of the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, your voice carries substantial weight. I respectfully request that you encourage Vietnamese officials to:
Cooperate fully with lawful judicial processes in the United States;
Preserve and provide relevant evidence concerning the allegations at issue;
Ensure that witnesses and victims are protected from intimidation or retaliation;
Demonstrate meaningful cooperation with U.S. authorities regarding allegations of human rights abuses;
Respect internationally recognized human rights standards and the rule of law.
Additionally, I respectfully request that the United States Government carefully evaluate whether future military, security, economic, or other governmental assistance to Vietnamese state entities should be conditioned upon demonstrated cooperation with lawful investigations, judicial proceedings, and human rights accountability mechanisms.
This request is not intended to interfere with the independence of the federal courts. Rather, it seeks to ensure that allegations involving torture, unlawful detention, and violence against a United States citizen receive appropriate attention and that the principles of accountability and human rights remain central to U.S.–Vietnam relations.
Thank you for your service to our Nation and for your continued commitment to protecting American citizens, veterans, and the values upon which the United States was founded.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel C.
Investigator in charge .
Assistant to Chief Court Expert Investigator .USAF Ret.
Enclosures:
Complaint – John Doe v. Socialist Republic of Vietnam, et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-03226
Entry of Default Against multiple Defendants including To Lam (Filed February 11, 2026),SR Vietnam February 03 2026 and others.
Supporting Court Filings and Public Records
