During a Fox News town hall with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump shared that he had received a “very nice call” from Democratic rival Kamala Harris just days after surviving an assassination attempt at his golf club in Florida. Trump described the call from Harris as appreciative, aligning with his sentiment that there is a need to “take back our country” and make America great again.

Earlier, President Joe Biden also reached out to Trump to offer his support and discuss Secret Service protection. The White House characterised Biden’s call as “cordial and brief,” noting that Harris’s call was made to ensure Trump’s safety and to condemn political violence.

In a subsequent interview, Harris confirmed her call, emphasising her stance against political violence and her commitment to democratic values. This incident marks the second time Trump has survived an assassination attempt in recent months, the first being a bullet grazing his ear at a Pennsylvania rally. The suspect, Ryan Routh, was arrested shortly after the incident.

Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu-American former congressman, has voiced strong reservations about Kamala Harris potentially becoming the Democratic party’s presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election in November. Gabbard contends that Harris lacks the qualifications and fitness required to assume the roles of president and commander-in-chief, expressing deep concerns over the potential dangers her leadership could pose to the nation.

In a video statement, Gabbard asserted, “Biden’s out, Kamala is in. Don’t be misled: policies won’t change. Just as Biden wasn’t the one calling the shots, neither will Kamala Harris.” She described Harris as the latest figurehead for the “deep state,” claiming she would act as a subordinate to Hillary Clinton, whom she accuses of leading a warmongering group aiming for global conflict and the loss of civil liberties.

Having been a candidate herself in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, Gabbard underscored her apprehensions about Harris potentially making critical decisions regarding war, peace, and the deployment of U.S. military forces. She warned that the repercussions of Harris’s actions could profoundly impact every American.

Drawing parallels between Harris and Clinton, Gabbard reiterated her past criticisms of Clinton as the “queen of warmongers,” suggesting similar concerns apply to Harris. She argued that Harris, if elected, would continue to cater to an elitist group of warmongers who she claims have exerted influence over Biden’s presidency.

Gabbard concluded by urging Americans to reject Kamala Harris in the upcoming election and instead endorse Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. She emphasized the importance of preserving peace, safeguarding freedoms, and demonstrating patriotism as central motivations behind her endorsement of Trump.

When Kamala Harris took the oath of office as Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021, she made history as the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Indian American to hold the second-highest office in the country. Now, following President Biden’s endorsement of her for the 2024 presidential race, she stands poised to become the first Black and Indian American woman to lead a major party ticket.

Harris has long embraced her South Asian heritage with pride. In her 2019 autobiography, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” she reflects on the deep cultural roots instilled by her mother and family. She notes how her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, gave her and her sister Sanskrit names and emphasized their Indian heritage. Harris recalls that her mother expressed her feelings in her native tongue, a testament to the strong cultural connection she fostered.

Throughout her career, Harris has addressed her racial identity with confidence and resilience. In a 2019 interview on “The Breakfast Club,” she confronted criticism of her African American identity, drawing parallels to the scrutiny faced by Barack Obama. She firmly asserted her pride in being Black and rejected any attempts to undermine her heritage.

Harris’s upbringing included a blend of cultural experiences. She attended both a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple, though she also faced exclusion from some of her peers due to her race. Her time at Howard University, a historically Black college, reinforced her sense of community and belonging.

Inspired by her mother’s determination and achievements, Harris’s ambitions are deeply rooted in her heritage. Reflecting on her mother’s experiences and struggles, she has embraced her own potential and strives to achieve her goals on her terms, demonstrating the strength and resilience she admires in her mother.

President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw from the presidential race, garnering praise from all five Indian-American lawmakers. Among them, three have expressed strong support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s likely nominee.

Biden, at 81 years old, announced on Sunday his decision to step down from re-election efforts, endorsing his deputy, Harris, for the Democratic nomination, just 107 days before the November 5 elections.

The House of Representatives currently includes five Indian-American Democrats: Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera. Of these, Khanna, Thanedar, and Jayapal have officially endorsed Harris, who is notable for being the first Indian American elected as Vice President.

Congresswoman Jayapal, the first among the five to endorse Harris, took to social media, calling for support to make Harris the President and to defeat Donald Trump. Jayapal emphasized her commitment to Harris, citing her qualifications and readiness to lead the nation to victory.

Jayapal, a prominent figure within the Democratic Party and the first Indian-American woman elected to the House, has become an influential voice over recent years. She publicly expressed her unwavering support for Harris, highlighting the historic nature of her candidacy.

Ro Khanna praised Biden for his significant achievements and his dedication to American democracy. He expressed his pride in endorsing Harris, noting her potential to energize the party and promote a vision of hope for the future.

Shri Thanedar echoed this sentiment, respecting Biden’s decision and fully backing Harris. He acknowledged Biden’s impactful presidency and expressed optimism for another four years under Democratic leadership with Harris at the helm.

Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ami Bera also commended Biden’s presidency, with Bera labeling him the most consequential and effective president of his lifetime. Both highlighted Biden’s substantial contributions, from infrastructure investments to restoring American global leadership.

Additional endorsements for Harris came from Virginia State Senator Suhas Subramanyam, Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, and Georgia State Senate candidate Ashwin Ramaswami. Each emphasized the historical significance of Harris’s potential presidency and her ability to represent diverse communities.

The Asian American Action Fund PAC also voiced its support, lauding Harris for her commitment to equality, opportunity, and justice. The PAC’s chair, Albert Shen, expressed confidence in Harris’s leadership and her capacity to address the needs of the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community and all Americans.

Usha Vance has always preferred to stay in the background, quietly supporting her husband JD Vance as he earned acclaim for his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, and pursued a U.S. Senate seat in 2022. To JD, she is a beacon of brilliance and calm, a stark contrast to the chaos of his early years.

However, the third night of the Republican National Convention marked a turning point for Usha. Stepping into the limelight, she delivered a primetime speech that introduced both herself and her husband to the nation. She eloquently highlighted their journey as a testament to the American dream.

The Vances have recently emerged as national figures following Donald Trump’s selection of JD as his vice-presidential running mate. This elevation has thrust Usha into the spotlight, where she has received a warm reception overall. Yet, some far-right voices have marred this moment with racist attacks on her Indian heritage.

At the convention, Usha’s debut was met with praise from Republican delegates, despite a few muted moments—such as when she humorously recounted her husband’s adaptation to her vegetarian lifestyle. Delegate Wendi Baggaley from North Dakota described Usha’s heritage as “beautiful” and admired her confident and heartfelt speech.

Born to Indian immigrants and a practicing Hindu, Usha Vance grew up in San Diego. She advanced her education at Yale and the University of Cambridge before graduating from Yale Law School, where she met JD Vance. After a successful career as a litigator at Munger, Tolles & Olson, she stepped back from her role following her husband’s vice-presidential nomination.

In her speech, Usha reflected on the remarkable journey that led them to this point, noting how her husband’s rise from humble beginnings exemplifies the American dream. She also injected a touch of humor, mentioning their personal anecdotes.

Despite the enthusiasm, Usha’s ascension has not been without controversy. Some far-right critics have targeted her ethnic background, but this has not overshadowed the broader Republican effort to showcase diversity within the party. Nikki Haley and other party leaders have advocated for greater inclusion, despite some resistance.

Catherine Ernsky, an alternate delegate, believes that Usha Vance will be warmly embraced by most Republicans, despite a few negative voices. She pointed out that while there will always be dissenting opinions, the party remains committed to welcoming diverse voices.

When Senator JD Vance was named Donald J. Trump’s running mate on the Republican presidential ticket, it also marked a historic moment: Usha Vance, an Indian American and practicing Hindu, is now poised to become a vice-presidential spouse.

This development underscores a significant reality: at this moment, a woman of Indian descent will either remain in the White House or become the second lady.

This milestone is part of the Indian American community’s growing political influence over the past decade. Kamala Harris made history in 2021 as the first person of Indian descent, and also the first woman and Black person, to become vice president. The 2024 presidential cycle is notable for featuring two Indian American candidates, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Currently, there are five Indian American members of Congress and nearly 40 serving in state legislatures—the highest number for any Asian origin group in the U.S., according to AAPI Data.

Indian Americans recently surpassed Chinese Americans to become the largest Asian group in the U.S. among those identifying with one country of origin, with nearly 4.4 million people identifying solely as Indian in 2020.

Most Indian immigrants arrived in the U.S. after 1965, following the removal of restrictions that had excluded Asians and others. The Indian population has surged in recent decades, driven by American companies hiring highly educated workers from India, especially in the technology sector.

Indians in the U.S. are the wealthiest and most highly educated Asian origin group on average. They also rank high in political and civic engagement, a trend linked to their democratic traditions and high English proficiency.

Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPI Data, noted that Indian Americans are becoming a significant force in American politics.

The population boom is a recent phenomenon. When Kamala Harris’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, arrived in 1958, she was among only 12,000 Indian immigrants in the U.S.

Many post-1965 immigrants came for higher education, benefitting from the lifted quotas on country of origin. After studying, many found jobs and were sponsored for permanent residency. Others came directly for high-skilled jobs.

Usha Vance’s father, Krish Chilukuri, studied at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology and works as a mechanical engineer. Her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, is a biologist and college provost at UC San Diego. They raised Usha and her sister in Rancho Peñasquitos, a suburb of San Diego, speaking Telugu and English at home. Their community grew from around 200 families in the mid-1980s to about 40,000 today, reflecting a national trend.

The demand for tech workers has spurred another wave of skilled Indian immigrants. About 60 percent of Indians in the U.S. arrived after 2000. Recently, there has also been a rise in undocumented Indian immigrants, with about 725,000 in the U.S. as of 2021.

The Indian diaspora’s diversity—spanning various faiths, economic backgrounds, and education levels—has sometimes led to internal divisions over issues like caste bias and Hindu nationalist politics.

Despite these differences, the community’s engagement in American politics has deepened. While the Chilukuris have not been particularly vocal about politics, they are registered Democrats, and Lakshmi Chilukuri has publicly supported climate initiatives.

Since 2008, Indian Americans, who have the highest voter turnout rates among Asian groups, have reliably supported the Democratic Party, seeing it as more inclusive and supportive of safety net policies. However, support for President Biden has waned, with more Indian Americans identifying as independents.

If Biden exits the 2024 race, Kamala Harris is the likely Democratic nominee, potentially making her the first Indian American presidential candidate.

Republican leaders see opportunities to attract Indian American voters with focuses on family, education, and immigration. Historically, prominent Indian Americans in the Republican Party have been Christian, but Usha Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy openly identify as Hindu.

Usha Vance’s role could influence Indian American voters and donors. However, while support for Biden has dropped, it hasn’t significantly increased for Trump.

Miriam Lobo, a family friend, expressed her excitement for Usha Vance’s potential new role but criticized Trump’s treatment of people.

Usha Vance remains somewhat enigmatic in her political views. She was a registered Democrat until at least 2014 and has not publicly aligned with her husband’s political shifts.

At the Republican National Convention, Usha Vance spoke warmly about her husband but notably did not mention Donald Trump.

At the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Tuesday night, former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy delivered a powerful speech in support of Donald Trump as the November presidential election approaches. Speaking to an audience of 2,400 delegates and numerous Trump supporters in Milwaukee, the Ohio-based Indian-American businessman emphasized Trump’s role in uniting the country through concrete actions rather than mere rhetoric.

Ramaswamy, 38, focused on appealing to a broad spectrum of Americans, including black Americans, legal immigrants, and Gen Z, encouraging them to embrace conservative values and Trump’s vision. He argued that Trump’s presidency signifies a return to core American principles such as merit, the rule of law, and effective governance.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and recent Trump endorser, praised Ramaswamy’s passionate address. Musk shared a video of the speech on social media, commenting, “Well said.”

Ramaswamy’s speech was part of a larger effort by Trump’s former primary rivals to display party unity. He highlighted Trump’s potential to unite the nation through tangible achievements, stating, “Success is unifying. Excellence is unifying. That’s who we are as Americans.”

Social media users responded positively to Ramaswamy’s speech. One user on X remarked on his fervor, saying, “Find someone else who brings the heat like Vivek does… I’ll wait.” Another called it a “masterclass” and suggested supporting him for vice president in 2028.

In addition to Ramaswamy, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly endorsed Trump. Haley, despite previous criticisms during the primaries, emphasized the need for a unified Republican Party for the country’s benefit.

Trump, appearing with a bandage on his ear following a recent assassination attempt, received a warm welcome from delegates. However, some tensions were evident, particularly during Haley’s speech. With less than four months until the election, Trump’s campaign is working to consolidate support amid ongoing political and legal challenges.

On Monday, Trump announced his running mate, J.D. Vance, a 39-year-old US senator from Ohio. Vance, a former critic turned staunch supporter, is known for his advocacy for working-class voters. He is scheduled to speak at the convention on Wednesday evening.

Usha Chilukuri Vance, the Indian-American wife of Senator J.D. Vance, has recently praised her husband as an ideal candidate for vice president, introducing him with a glimpse into their life and his acceptance of her vegetarian diet, along with his knack for cooking Indian food.

Usha, 38, a Yale law graduate and trial lawyer, has mostly kept a low profile. She acknowledged their diverse backgrounds—J.D. being a white man from the Rust Belt and her being the daughter of Indian immigrants. Usha emphasized that their relationship is a testament to America’s unique opportunities. “That J.D. and I could meet, fall in love, and marry is a testament to this great country,” she said while introducing her 39-year-old husband during the Republican National Convention.

She confidently stated that J.D. would be an excellent Vice President, just minutes before he accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for vice president in the upcoming November 5 election. Usha highlighted J.D.’s qualities as a husband and father, describing their love and connection to fellow Americans.

Usha, who is a mother of three, met J.D. at Yale University. “We were friends first,” she said. Usha, whose parents are from Andhra Pradesh, shared that J.D. was the most interesting person she had ever known—a working-class man who overcame significant childhood traumas to attend Yale Law School, a tough Marine who served in Iraq, yet enjoyed simple pleasures like playing with puppies and watching the movie “Babe.”

When asked to introduce J.D. to the Republican delegates, Usha expressed how she was initially at a loss for words. She decided to speak from the heart about why she loves and admires him, and why he would make a great Vice President.

Usha also talked about her own background, growing up in a middle-class community in San Diego with her immigrant parents from India. She shared how J.D. embraced their differences with curiosity and enthusiasm, wanting to learn everything about her background. Despite being a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy, J.D. adapted to her vegetarian diet and even learned to cook Indian food for her mother. Usha reiterated the contrasts in their upbringings but highlighted how their love transcends these differences.

Harmeet Dhillon, an Indian American attorney and prominent figure in the Republican Party, delivered a solemn ‘Ardas’ prayer at the Republican National Convention in the presence of former President Donald Trump. The ‘Ardas’ prayer, a traditional Sikh invocation seeking divine guidance and protection, underscored values of humility, truth, courage, service, and justice.

During her invocation, Dhillon expressed gratitude for what she termed the ‘Chardikala’ spirit embodied by President Trump—a resilient and uplifting spirit in the face of adversity, akin to the perseverance of America’s founding fathers. She praised Trump’s fearlessness (‘nirbhay’) and absence of hate (‘nirvir’) in the face of hostility, citing these qualities as inspiring examples.

Coming from a Sikh immigrant family, Dhillon voiced her appreciation for America as a unique sanctuary where people of all faiths can worship freely. She sought blessings for the nation and its citizens, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in the upcoming elections and integrity in the electoral process.

Concluding her prayer, Dhillon invoked blessings for the exaltation of God’s name, spreading happiness, and fostering a spirit of prosperity and peace for all. Her invocation marked a poignant moment at the Republican National Convention, held amidst a backdrop of recent events, where Trump received a hero’s welcome and strong support from delegates and attendees alike.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur of Indian descent, has expressed interest in stepping into the spotlight of American politics by considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat from Ohio. The opportunity arises if J.D. Vance, currently the Republican nominee for Vice-President, vacates the seat should former President Donald Trump win the upcoming presidential election. Ramaswamy revealed his potential candidacy in an interview with NBC News, stating he would seriously contemplate the role if approached to serve.

Under U.S. electoral procedures, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine holds the authority to nominate a successor to complete Vance’s term, which began in January 2023. Ramaswamy, who hails from Ohio and shares political affiliation with Vance and DeWine as a Republican, stands poised as a potential nominee. Governor DeWine, however, has deferred any decision on a replacement, emphasizing it is premature to name a successor at this stage.

If appointed by DeWine, Ramaswamy would become not only Ohio’s representative in the Senate but also the sole current member of Indian descent in the chamber, following in the footsteps of Vice-President Kamala Harris. His potential appointment carries significant weight, potentially extending his influence beyond the Senate floor. Ramaswamy’s alignment with Trump’s agenda has garnered attention, with speculation suggesting he could be considered for a pivotal role in a future Trump administration, such as leading the Department of Homeland Security.

Amidst his political aspirations, Ramaswamy remains open to other avenues of national impact, particularly focusing on regulatory reform, an area where he sees potential for executive and legislative contributions. His ambitions underscore a strategic alignment with Trump’s policies, reflecting a broader commitment to shaping America’s governance and policies in the years ahead.