Indian-Americans take prominent roles in Trump 2.0 administration
President Donald Trump has appointed three Indian-Americans to key positions in his second term, bringing expertise and diversity to his administration. Ricky Gill, Saurabh Sharma, and Kush Desai have been tasked with significant roles spanning national security, staffing, and communications.
Ricky Gill: Strengthening South and Central Asia ties
Ricky Gill has been named Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council (NSC). A seasoned expert in international relations, Gill previously served as Director for Russia and European Energy Security at the NSC during Trump’s first term.
Post-administration, he acted as a Senior Advisor for TC Energy, working on European and Asian energy projects, including the Keystone XL Pipeline. Born in Lodi, New Jersey, Gill is a Princeton graduate and holds a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Saurabh Sharma: Focusing on presidential personnel
Bengaluru-born Indian-American Saurabh Sharma has joined the Presidential Personnel Office, where he will oversee staffing and appointments. Sharma is best known for his leadership at American Moment, a conservative organization focused on policy and personnel development.
Sharma holds a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, where he emerged as a leading student activist. He gained national attention in 2019 when invited to the White House to witness Trump’s signing of an executive order on free speech in universities.
Kush Desai: Shaping White House communication
Kush Desai, a former journalist and seasoned political strategist, has been appointed Deputy Press Secretary. Desai’s extensive communications experience includes key roles in the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Iowa.
Notably, Desai served as Deputy Communications Director for the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he contributed to messaging for Trump’s re-election campaign.
A diverse and experienced team
With these appointments, Trump has brought in a blend of experience, expertise, and diversity to his administration. Each appointee is expected to play a critical role in advancing the administration’s domestic and international agenda.
