President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will nominate well-known international investor Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary, Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary, and Dr Janette Nesheiwat as the next Surgeon General of the U.S.

Making a slew of announcements for top administrative positions on Friday (November 23, 2024), Mr. Trump appointed Alex Wong as Principal Deputy National Security Advisor and Dr Sebastian Gorka as Senior Director for Counterterrorism.

Former Congressman Dr Dave Weldon has been nominated to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Marty Makary for FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Commissioner, and Scott Turner as Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

Russell Thurlow Vought has been appointed Director of the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB). All the appointments would come into effect on January 20, 2025, when Mr. Trump would be sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. The nominations need to be confirmed by the US Senate before the nominees are sworn in to their respective positions.

Talking about his Treasury nomination, Mr. Trump said, “Scott is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists. Scott’s story is that of the American Dream.” Bessent is an American investor, philanthropist, and educator. He is the Founder and CEO of Key Square Group.

“On the eve of our great country’s 250th Anniversary, he will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States as we fortify our position as the world’s leading economy, centre of innovation and entrepreneurialism, and destination for capital, while always, and without question, maintaining the US Dollar as the Reserve Currency of the World,” he said.

“Unlike in past Administrations, we will ensure that no Americans will be left behind in the next and greatest economic boom, and Scott will lead that effort for me and the great people of the United States of America,” he added.

Mr. Trump said Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer’s strong support from both the business and labour communities would ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind the “agenda for unprecedented national success – Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” “Dr Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health. She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives,” Mr. Trump said about his Surgeon General nominee.

Alex Wong served during his first term as the Deputy Special Representative for North Korea and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State.

He was also Trump’s nominee in the first term for US Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations. As Deputy Special Representative for North Korea, he helped negotiate Mr. Trump’s Summit with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. Alex also led the State Department’s efforts to implement the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.

“Dr Sebastian Gorka will be returning to the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism,” Mr. Trump said.

“Since 2015, Dr Gorka has been a tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement, serving previously as Strategist to the President in the first Trump Administration,” Mr. Trump said.

Americans have lost trust in the CDC and in the federal health authorities, Trump said, alleging that these have engaged in censorship, data manipulation, and misinformation.

“Given the current chronic health crisis in our country, the CDC must step up and correct past errors to focus on the prevention of disease,” said the President-Elect.

“In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years and an Army veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting,” Mr. Trump said.

Observing that the FDA has lost the trust of Americans and the sight of its primary goal as a regulator, Mr. Trump said the agency needs Marty Makary as Commissioner.

“FDA has lost the trust of Americans and has lost sight of its primary goal as a regulator. The agency needs Dr Marty Makary, a highly respected Johns Hopkins Surgical Oncologist and Health Policy Expert, to course-correct and refocus the agency,” he said.

“Dr Makary has been a pioneer in the fields of public health, cancer care, and surgery and a tireless voice for vulnerable populations. He is the recipient of the Nobility in Science Award from the National Pancreas Foundation and numerous teaching awards,” Mr. Trump said.

Dr Makary currently leads the evidence-based medicine and Public Policy Research Group at Johns Hopkins, he added.

Mr. Trump’s nominee for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner is an NFL Veteran who, during his first term, served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalisation Council (WHORC), helping to lead an “unprecedented effort” that transformed the most distressed communities.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will nominate well-known international investor Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary, Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary, and Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the next Surgeon General of the U.S.

Making a slew of announcements for top administrative positions on Friday (November 23, 2024), Mr. Trump appointed Alex Wong as Principal Deputy National Security Advisor and Dr Sebastian Gorka as Senior Director for Counterterrorism.

Former Congressman Dr. Dave Weldon has been nominated to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Marty Makary for FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Commissioner, and Scott Turner as Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

Russell Thurlow Vought has been appointed Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). All the appointments would come into effect on January 20, 2025, when Mr. Trump would be sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. The nominations need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before the nominees are sworn in to their respective positions.

Talking about his Treasury nomination, Mr. Trump said, “Scott is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists. Scott’s story is that of the American Dream.” Bessent is an American investor, philanthropist, and educator. He is the Founder and CEO of Key Square Group.

“On the eve of our great country’s 250th Anniversary, he will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States as we fortify our position as the world’s leading economy, centre of innovation and entrepreneurialism, and destination for capital, while always, and without question, maintaining the U.S. Dollar as the Reserve Currency of the World,” he said.

“Unlike in past Administrations, we will ensure that no Americans will be left behind in the next and greatest economic boom, and Scott will lead that effort for me and the great people of the United States of America,” he added.

Mr. Trump said Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer’s strong support from both the business and labour communities would ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind the “agenda for unprecedented national success – Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!”

“Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health. She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives,” Mr. Trump said about his Surgeon General nominee.

Alex Wong served during his first term as the Deputy Special Representative for North Korea and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State.

He was also Trump’s nominee in the first term for U.S. Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations. As Deputy Special Representative for North Korea, he helped negotiate Mr. Trump’s Summit with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. Alex also led the State Department’s efforts to implement the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.

“Dr. Sebastian Gorka will be returning to the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism,” Mr. Trump said.

“Since 2015, Dr. Gorka has been a tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement, serving previously as Strategist to the President in the first Trump Administration,” Mr. Trump said.

Americans have lost trust in the CDC and in the federal health authorities, Trump said, alleging that these have engaged in censorship, data manipulation, and misinformation.

“Given the current chronic health crisis in our country, the CDC must step up and correct past errors to focus on the prevention of disease,” said the President-Elect.

“In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years and an Army veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting,” Mr. Trump said.

Observing that the FDA has lost the trust of Americans and the sight of its primary goal as a regulator, Mr. Trump said the agency needs Marty Makary as Commissioner.

“FDA has lost the trust of Americans and has lost sight of its primary goal as a regulator. The agency needs Dr. Marty Makary, a highly respected Johns Hopkins Surgical Oncologist and Health Policy Expert, to course-correct and refocus the agency,” he said.

“Dr. Makary has been a pioneer in the fields of public health, cancer care, and surgery and a tireless voice for vulnerable populations. He is the recipient of the Nobility in Science Award from the National Pancreas Foundation and numerous teaching awards,” Mr. Trump said.

Dr. Makary currently leads the evidence-based medicine and Public Policy Research Group at Johns Hopkins, he added.

Mr. Trump’s nominee for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner is an NFL Veteran who, during his first term, served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalisation Council (WHORC), helping to lead an “unprecedented effort” that transformed the most distressed communities.

More than two dozen lawmakers and eminent Indian Americans celebrated Diwali at the Capitol, the first major event at the U.S. Congress after last week’s presidential elections.

The annual “Diwali at Capitol Hill” on Tuesday ( November 12, 2024) was organised by the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in association with several other Indian American organisations including the Hindu American Foundation, Sikhs for America, Jain Association of North America, and Art of Living.

President-elect Donald Trump is set to assume office after winning the presidential election last week.

Speaking at the Diwali celebration, Senator Rand Paul said the U.S. is a land of immigrants which attracts the best and brightest around the world, underscoring that they blend to make America a great country.

“I’m a big advocate of more lawful immigration and have many bills to expand that, and I’m going to keep working on that. Have a good Diwali,” Ms. Paul said.

Greeting Indian Americans on the occasion, Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith said she looks forward to the great next four years. “We want to just provide prosperity for this country, for those who want to look for something new, to do something new,” she said.

“We just want to encourage you that we want to have a stable atmosphere. We want a great economy. We want a safe place for everybody to be able to raise your family,” she said, addressing the gathering which also included India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

“This is an Indian festival which is embraced and celebrated the world over. Your presence here, the presence of so many congressmen and senators has made it all the most special. It is a reflection of their commitment to the relationship. Your presence there is a reflection of the important role that you at this festival place in the relationship,” Mr. Kwatra said in his address.

Congressman Shri Thanedar, who was re-elected from the thirteenth Congressional district of Michigan last month, said in his first term he was able to form Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist caucuses for the first time in Congressional history.

“There’s a lot that needs to be done. I’m working with the State Department on the attacks on Hindu temples and making sure our community is protected all across America. I’m also working with the State Department on the atrocities on the Hindus in Bangladesh,” Mr. Thanedar said.

Congressman Tom Souzzi from New York referred to the recent attacks on Hindu temple in Long Island. “I spoke on the floor of the Congress, and I said that when Indian Americans, Hindu Americans, place their hands like this and say namaste, they are really recognising the divinity and the respect they have for the person in front of them, and we need more of that in our country today,” he said.

In his address, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said, “You are the fastest-growing ethnic minority in America. You are the most prosperous, the best educated. One out of every seven doctors is a Desi.” “The words of support tonight are coming from members of Congress who greatly appreciate each of you taking time, not just to be at this Diwali event for another beautiful year, but of the year that has been so monumental in the growth and opportunity for so many of you here in the United States of America,” Congressman Pete Sessions said in his remarks.

Congressman Dan Meuser recollected the joint address to the Congress by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year and said he did a wonderful job.

“It stayed with me just how well he spoke about the importance of the American Indian relationship, how it needs to improve for economic reasons, and for national security reasons, and an overall peace for our world,” he said.

“Our relationship will continue to grow. It’s very, very important. We have a new president and a new Senate. We hope to be united, work together, find common ground, and do what’s best for the United States, for India, for the world,” Mr. Meuser said.

Former House Majority Leader Congressman Steny Hoyer applauded the contribution of Indian Americans to the country’s progress. “On this Diwali, I come here to thank each and every one of you. America is stronger and better for those of you who came from India and who love America and who serve our fellow citizens,” he said.

“We know that our Indian American community is one of our success stories. It is a part of the vibrancy of our incredible economy and so many communities…to the families across America recognising and celebrating Diwali, we salute you tonight,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens.

Indian-origin physician Amish Shah has won the Democratic Party’s crowded primary for a district in the U.S. State of Arizona, setting the stage for a tough election in November where he will face a Republican rival.

Mr. Shah, 47, won the election in Arizona’s First Congressional District after his main opponent Andrei Cherny, conceded on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Mr.Shah, an ex-state representative, led by 1,629 votes and held a 23.9 per cent – 21.4 per cent lead when Mr. Cherny conceded.

Mr.Shah won in a crowded Democratic field that included Cherny, ex-local news anchor Marlene Galan-Woods, orthodontist Andrew Horne, ex-regional American Red Cross CEO Kurt Kroemer and investment banker Conor O’Callaghan.

Mr. Shah will face even-term incumbent Republican David Schweikert, who is in his seventh term and easily won his primary election on Tuesday.

The district is a competitive one in Arizona, with Schweikert defeating Democrat Jevin Hodge by less than a percentage point in 2022.

Outside of his medical practice, Mr. Shah founded the first Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival as a philanthropic endeavour to promote healthy eating and eliminate preventable diseases.

Since 2019, he has been a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, serving Central Phoenix, Sunnyslope and South Scottsdale.