Indian Americans in the Trump administration: Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and others who could grab top spots in the 2.0 cabinet

Before he finally makes his comeback to the White House, he faces a long and arduous journey as part of the presidential transition, which requires him to plan his new term in advance. According to the Center for Presidential Transition, “Transition teams are responsible for organizing staff review, policy planning and management agendas to translate campaign promises into government.” As part of the critical process, he and his assigned team will use this time to their advantage and plan for leadership positions .

Among key Republican leaders on Trump’s side, a significant group of Indian Americans have risen to the top this year, led by people like former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who, after dropping out of the race earlier this year, immediately defeated the MAGA leader supported.

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After the election call, Trump campaign adviser Brian Hughes told the New York Post that the president-elect’s transition team had been working hard for months to prepare for an internal “reveal.”

The transition team overseeing the upcoming second Trump administration reportedly includes co-chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Vice President-elect JD Vance to.

Indian Americans who could play a significant potential role in Donald Trump’s Cabinet

Vivek Ramaswamy

Trump’s rival-turned-ally was once considered a popular choice for his slate of candidates. While previously reporting on the Indian-origin biotech entrepreneur’s position in the presidential campaign, Bloomberg noted that Trump personally told Ramaswamy that he was considering tapping him to head the Department of Homeland Security.

Tulsi Gabbard

The former Democrat is already leading the charge as one of the key players working toward Trump’s transition. After supporting the Republican leader’s campaign this year, she is already in Trump’s favor. Rep Brain Mast, who a day ago secured his fifth term in Florida’s 21s Congressional District, previously said: “Tulsi Gabbard, various places, former colleague across the aisle, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is one somewhere “There would be a role for her in the diplomatic field if she had that opportunity,” The Hill report said. It was also reported in September that while the former congresswoman prioritized her place on Trump’s transition team, she hinted during an interview with Fox News that she would be willing to serve in a second Trump administration.

Also read | Vivek Ramaswamy explains why Trump won “by the largest margin of any president in modern history.”

Kash Patel

There is also speculation that Indian-American lawyer Kashyap “Kash” Patel may join Trump’s team. A former Republican House staffer with extensive defense and intelligence experience, the staunch Trump loyalist is a likely choice for CIA director. In addition to appearing frequently on Trump’s campaign this year, Patel also joined the National Security Council in February 2019, eventually rising to senior director of the Counterterrorism Directorate. He later became chief of staff to acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller.

Bobby Jindal

According to Politico, the former Louisiana governor is a likely candidate for a major role, particularly secretary of Health and Human Services. He currently leads the Center for a Healthy America, “an arm of the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute, where he has advocated for changes to the Affordable Care Act and new price transparency.” Additionally, Jindal served under former President George W. Bush Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, a critical role that leveraged his health care expertise through policy diplomacy.

Nikki Haley

The former South Carolina governor served as UN ambassador during the first two years of Trump’s first term. However, when she challenged him for the Republican presidential nomination earlier this year, they didn’t exactly remain on good terms. According to USA Today, Haley is likely out of the running when considering the Trump 2.0 Cabinet. However, the Indian-American diplomat chose to speak sweetly about Trump in the final stages of his campaign. In an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, she argued it was an “easy decision” to support the Republican leader over Kamala Harris. Three months ago, Haley was even invited to speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where she expressed her “strong support” for Trump.