In a significant development amidst ongoing discussions about the future of immigrants in the United States, three Indian-Americans have been appointed to important positions in the Trump administration. These appointments reflect the administration’s continuing efforts to involve a diverse range of individuals in key policy and communication roles. President Donald Trump has named Ricky Gill as Senior Director in the National Security Council (NSC), focusing on South and Central Asia. Saurabh Sharma has been assigned to the Presidential Personnel Office, handling staffing and appointments, while former journalist Kush Desai has been appointed as Deputy Press Secretary to contribute to the White House’s communication strategy.
Ricky Gill: A Veteran in International Relations
Ricky Gill, an expert in international relations, has been reappointed to the NSC after serving in the same council during Trump’s first term. In his previous role, Gill was Director of Russia and European Energy Security. Beyond his work at the NSC, he has also been a senior adviser at the State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Building Operations.
After leaving the administration, Gill led Gill Capital Group as Principal and General Counsel, where he focused on consulting in European and Asian energy sectors, particularly working with TC Energy—the company behind the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. While Trump partially approved the project, President Joe Biden halted it. Gill hails from Lodi, New Jersey, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, along with a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Saurabh Sharma: A Rising Star in Personnel and Policy
Bengaluru-born Saurabh Sharma brings a wealth of experience to the Trump administration, most recently serving as president of American Moment, a conservative organization focused on personnel development. Sharma, who graduated with a biochemistry degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2019, was invited to the White House during Trump’s first term, along with nine other student activists, to witness the signing of an executive order addressing free speech on college campuses.
His role at the Presidential Personnel Office will involve overseeing appointments and staffing, ensuring that the administration is filled with individuals who align with the president’s policies.
Kush Desai: Strategic Communications Expert
Kush Desai is an experienced communications strategist with a history of pivotal roles in Republican campaigns and organizations. Most recently, he served as Deputy Communications Director for the 2024 Republican National Convention. Prior to that, Desai was the Communications Director for the Republican Party of Iowa, and before that, he was the Deputy Battleground States and Pennsylvania Communications Director at the Republican National Committee. In these roles, Desai was instrumental in shaping the party’s messaging in crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania, which played a critical role in the outcome of the presidential elections.
Desai’s new position as Deputy Press Secretary will enable him to contribute to the White House’s broader communication strategy, focusing on strengthening the administration’s messaging on key issues.
These appointments highlight the ongoing involvement of Indian-American professionals in shaping US policy and communications, particularly in the context of the current political landscape and debates surrounding immigration.