Incredible Indian-americans taking over US: Biden
WASHINGTON: Indian-americans are “taking over the country”, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday, referring to the large number of “incredible” professionals from the community holding key positions in his administration.
In less than 50 days of his presidency, Biden has appointed at least 55 Indian-americans to key leadership positions in his administration ranging from his speech writer to NASA, to almost every wing of the government.
“Indian — of descent — Americans
are taking over the country: you Dr Swati Mohan); my Vice President (Kamala Harris); my speech writer, Vinay (Reddy). I tell you what. But thank you. You guys are incredible,” President Biden said during a virtual interaction with scientists at NASA who were involved in the historic landing of Perseverance rover on Mars on February 18.
Indian-american scientist Swati Mohan leads the guidance, navigation, and control operations of NASA’S Mars 2020 mission. Biden, who was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, has created history by appointing at least 55
Indian-americans to key positions in his administration. This does not include Vice President Harris, which is an elected position, and Neera Tanden, who a day earlier withdrew her nomination from the position of Director of White House Office of Management and Budget.
Nearly half of them are women and a sizable number of them are working in the White House. So far, the Obama-biden administration (2009-2017) has the distinction of appointing the largest number of Indian-americans in any administration, the previous Donald Trump administration was not lagging far behind as it appointed the first ever Indian-american with a cabinet rank and inside the National Security Council.
The Biden administration has for the first time appointed such a large number of Indian-americans in its first 50 days. This past week, Dr. Vivek Murthy testified before a Senate Committee for US Surgeon General and Vanita Gupta is all set to appear for her confirmation hearing for Associate Attorney General Department of Justice.
“It is impressive to see how many Indian-americans were ready to go into public service. There have been so many additions since we launched our Government Leaders list last month...i am so proud to see our community is going from strength to strength!,” eminent Indian-american philanthropist and Indiaspora founder M Rangaswami said.