WASHINGTON (CU)_Indian-Americans are taking over the United States, President Joe Biden said on Thursday (March 4), referring to the significant number of people from the community who have been appointment to positions in his administration. Since he was sworn in as the 46th US President on January 20, Biden has appointed at least 55 Indian-Americans to key leadership positions in almost every wing of the government.
“Indian-of-descent Americans (sic) are taking over the country,” he said, pointing to his Vice President Kamala Harris, his speech writer Vinay Reddy, as well as Swati Mohan, as examples. The President made these comments during a virtual meeting with NASA scientists who were involved in the historic landing of Perseverance on Mars.
Swati Mohan, an Indian-American scientist, leads the guidance, navigation, and control operations of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.
In addition to Vice President Harris, who was elected into the position, President Biden on the other hand has also made history by appointing at least 55 Indian-Americans to key positions in his administration.
Last week, Dr Vivek Murthy testified before a Senate Committee as the US Surgeon General, while Vanita Gupta is expected to appear for her confirmation to the Department of Justice, as Associate Attorney General.
Some of the key posts held by Indian-Americans in the Biden administration include Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Policy Director to the First Lady, Partnership Manager for the White House Office of Digital Strategy, Deputy Director for the US National Economic Council (NEC) and Deputy Press Secretary for the Vice President.
Meanwhile, another Indian-American, Neera Tanden, who was nominated for the position of Director of White House Office of Management and Budget, withdrew her nomination on Tuesday on account of the stiff opposition from the Republicans.
While the community is disappointed regarding her withdrawal, however, Indian-American women are expected to reach new heights under the Biden administration. Swati Mohan, for instance, plays a key role in NASA’s Mars 2020 mission, although she is not a political appointee.
