Sergio Gor, a key figure in determining job placements within U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, is likely headed overseas for a prominent diplomatic position. On August 22, Trump announced that he was appointing Gor, who leads the Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), as ambassador to India and as special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.

“Sergio’s role as Director of Presidential Personnel has been essential in delivering on the unprecedented mandate we received from the American people,” Trump stated. “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.” Gor, 38, will remain in his current position until confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

In overseeing hiring across the administration, Gor gained favor with the president and his family by implementing a zero-tolerance policy toward job-seekers who had previously criticized Trump. He frequently reviewed candidates’ social media posts and actively intervened to block certain hirings.

A Snake

Gor’s aggressive approach has drawn some criticism. Notably, former special adviser Elon Musk referred to him as “a snake,” accusing Gor of persuading Trump to withdraw the nomination of a Musk associate to serve as the next NASA administrator. Surprisingly, reports indicate that Gor has yet to submit the official paperwork required for a permanent security clearance.

According to the New York Post, “One of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, responsible for vetting thousands of staffers, has not been fully vetted himself, according to information obtained by The Post.”

A Message or Sheer Dumbness

However, sending Gor to Delhi is not about addressing ruffled feathers or revamping the PPO. A source familiar with the situation explained the belief in U.S. power corridors: “The president is sending a powerful signal to the Modi government by appointing someone who is very personally close to him,” noting that the U.S.-India relationship has been strained by Trump’s imposition of tariffs and penalties against India for continuing to purchase oil from Russia. “Sergio is a clear signal that the negotiations need to be serious and that all messages come from the president.”

The carefully nurtured image of the U.S. in India over the last 25 years has taken a severe beating due to the Trump administration’s impulsive actions. The appointment of Gor is one such decision. If the Trump administration believes that such actions will compel India to back down, it reflects an immature way of thinking. India is already looking to diversify its partnerships and is contemplating a trade agreement with the European Union. Trump’s actions have prompted India to revamp its relationships with Russia and begin mending fences with China. However, given the strategic defense partnerships, as well as commercial, technological, and political ties between the U.S. and India, both sides have an incentive to improve their relationship.

PIO: People of Indian Origin or Personal Interests Obvious

In the meantime, there is deafening silence among the PIOs. JD Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel are all closely associated with Trump. Vance, who is married to Indian-origin Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance, is unlikely to invest his political capital in issues championed by his boss. As a de facto successor to Trump, Vance will be particularly cautious about creating discord.

Ramaswamy has faced backlash for openly criticizing why white Americans are falling behind in meritocracy. Gabbard has aligned herself with supportive pro-Trump media after receiving limited backing as a war veteran who transitioned to a conservative Democrat. Patel is an insider within the MAGA movement and is beginning to face scrutiny over various issues, including his connections to the Epstein files. For many individuals of Indian origin and India sympathizers within the Trump administration, remaining silent appears to be the most prudent strategy—at least for now.

The Indian-American voter base tends to focus on personal achievement. While affluent, they are small in number and not oriented toward advocacy, making it difficult for them to exert political influence. It is unlikely that Indian-origin leaders in Big Tech will engage in public conflicts with a White House that can significantly impact their interests. Even someone as influential as Tim Cook felt compelled to express public support—or rather, to present a 24-carat gold memento—to avoid punitive actions from the Trump administration.

Only Nikki Haley stands out as someone who has attempted to reason with Trump. She can speak candidly due to her experience navigating that environment. Although her political career may be virtually over following an unsuccessful presidential run and her falling out with Trump, she understands his politics from her previous work in the Trump administration. This insight allows her to express a refreshing candor that contrasts with the muted responses of others.

Gor: A Poor Choice Indeed

Sergio Gor, also known as Sergey Gorokhovsky, was born in Tashkent, in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, which was part of the Soviet Union. The Gorokhovsky family moved to Malta by 1994 when his mother established a business and registered as an Israeli national. Sergio was raised in Cospicua and attended De La Salle College, a Catholic boys’ school. The family emigrated to the United States in 1999, and he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University.

In 2008, he worked as a junior staff member at the Republican National Committee and famously wore a squirrel costume at public events to protest Barack Obama’s ties to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). This kind of entry-level work in politics is often taken on by those who are dedicated and perhaps a bit shameless, and Gor was one of them.

Leading up to Donald Trump’s election, he spent time at Mar-a-Lago to gain influence within Trump’s competitive political operation. He managed one of the lesser-known but well-funded super PACs supporting Trump’s election, known as Right for America. He was frequently seen at the White House or in Palm Beach, often accompanied by Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle. In 2021, to gain access to Trump’s inner circle, he co-founded a book publishing company with Donald Trump Jr., which produced a coffee table book featuring official photographs of the former and future president.

In India, there is little concern about how Sergio Gor purchased a seven-bedroom lagoon-front mansion just north of Palm Beach, a short drive from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. What worries many in India is that, similar to Xi Jinping’s China, Trump’s America seems to be prioritizing loyalty over competence. Gor lacks expertise in diplomacy, possesses minimal knowledge of the region, and has too much on his plate to handle effectively. This situation has raised concerns, as a career diplomat would have been better suited to stabilize the fragile relationship, whereas a political appointee with no qualifications is viewed merely as a messenger.