Trump Nominates Decorated Army Veteran Sam Brown for VA Position

Nevada Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown speaks to media after voting at Reno High School in Reno, Nev., on June 14, 2022. Tom R. Smedes/AP Photo

President-elect Donald Trump said in a Jan. 9 social media post that Sam Brown, a decorated U.S. Army war veteran and former Senate candidate from Nevada, will serve in his incoming administration as the next undersecretary of veterans affairs for memorial affairs, a senior position with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

If confirmed by the Senate, Brown will be responsible for overseeing the maintenance and operation of 155 VA national cemeteries and helping to provide burial services for U.S. veterans and certain members of their families.

Other responsibilities at the department will include maintaining cemeteries as national shrines; managing land acquisition, design, and construction; overseeing activities related to the establishment of new national cemeteries; and overseeing memorial programs to honor the service of deceased veterans.

Trump touted Brown’s military career in his statement, describing him as an “American hero, a Purple Heart recipient,” and a successful businessman who has “devoted his life to serving America.”

The Purple Heart is awarded to military personnel who are injured or killed while serving the United States, honoring their service and sacrifice.

Brown was awarded the medal for his service in Afghanistan, where he was grievously wounded—and nearly killed—by an improvised explosive device in 2008.

He underwent 30 surgeries as he recuperated and his face remains scarred.

“He fearlessly proved his love for our Country in the Army, while leading Troops in battle in Afghanistan and, after being honorably retired as a Captain, helping our Veterans get access to emergency medications,” Trump said.

“Sam will now continue his service to our Great Nation at the VA, where he will work tirelessly to ensure we put America’s Veterans FIRST, and remember ALL who served. Congratulations to Sam and Amy, also an Army Veteran, and his three beautiful children!”

Trump announced in November 2024 that he was nominating former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins to lead the VA in his new administration.

‘To My Fellow Veterans, I’ve Got You’

Brown thanked Trump for his “leadership and trust” in a post on social media platform X.

“I am grateful and accept this opportunity to put Duty First and continue my service to America,” Brown said. “I look forward to working with incoming Secretary [Doug Collins], a true servant leader, to improve the VA and ensure all who have served are honored with the dignity they have earned. To my fellow veterans, I’ve got you.”

Brown, who moved to Nevada from Texas in 2018, challenged incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) in Nevada’s November 2024 general election and received an endorsement from Trump.

Rosen won the race with 47.9 percent of the vote. Brown did not trail far behind, with the retired Army captain securing 46.2 percent.

Brown also ran unsuccessfully for a Nevada U.S. Senate seat in 2022 but failed to advance beyond the primary, where he was defeated by Adam Laxalt, a former state attorney general.

Laxalt went on to lose the general election to incumbent Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.