Several Indian-origin individuals have been appointed to prominent roles in Donald Trump’s incoming administration, reflecting the growing influence of the Indian-American and Hindu-American communities. Johnnie Moore, former Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, highlighted the importance of the Indian-American community in Trump’s second term, saying, “Usha, Tulsi, Vivek, Jay and now Kash. The Indian-American / Hindu-American community will be at the very heart of the second Trump administration.”
Usha Vance, wife of Vice President-elect JD Vance, hails from Andhra Pradesh, India, while Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy, born in the U.S. to parents from Kerala, has gained prominence. Kolkata-born Jay Bhattacharya has been appointed Director of the National Institutes of Health, and Kashyap “Kash” Patel has been nominated to head the FBI.
Trump announced Patel’s nomination on Truth Social, emphasizing his stellar career, which includes roles such as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism. Trump praised Patel for his work in exposing corruption and defending justice during his previous administration, calling him an “America First” fighter.
