President Donald Trump nominated Sergio Gor, currently a White House official, to be the new ambassador to India.
Gor, who has been serving as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, will also serve as the special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, pending Senate confirmation.
In his announcement, Trump praised Gor’s work in the White House advising him on hiring decisions.
“As Director of Presidential Personnel, Sergio and his team have hired nearly 4,000 America First Patriots across every Department of our Federal Government in RECORD time — Our Departments and Agencies are over 95% filled!” the president posted on Truth Social. “Sergio’s role as Director of Presidential Personnel has been essential to delivering on the unprecedented Mandate that we received from the American People.”
Trump also pointed to the close relationship he has with Gor, who has previously led a pro-Trump super PAC and cofounded a book publisher with one of the president’s sons, Donald Trump Jr.
“For the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador. Congratulations Sergio!” Trump added.
If confirmed, Gor will vacate his position in the White House, with speculation already pouring in on who could fill it.
Steve Bannon, a chief strategist in Trump’s first term, suggested right-wing influencer Laura Loomer is on the short list.
“Loomer has to be on the short list as potential replacement given her expertise in the vetting arena,” he wrote on social media.
Loomer waded into the speculation herself, telling Politico it would be an “honor” to serve in the Trump administration if she was offered the White House position.
A possible White House role for Loomer follows her already outsized influence on Trump’s hiring decisions in his second term, targeting top officials in key agencies over alleged disloyalty to Trump and his agenda.
That would appear to align with Gor’s hiring decisions, as he is known for his strict policy of not hiring Trump critics.
Some of those decisions led to a spat with former Trump senior adviser Elon Musk, who called Gor a “snake” after he blocked the nomination of his friend, Jared Isaacman, for NASA administrator.
LAURA LOOMER’S INFLUENCE GROWS AS SHE CARVES OUT ROLE AS TRUMP’S OUTSIDE VETTER-IN-CHIEF
As for Gor’s potential new role, his appointment comes amid tense relations with India, particularly over the South Asian country’s continued purchasing of Russian oil.
Earlier this month, Trump doubled the tariff on Indian imports to 50% as a result.