At 38, Gor will be the youngest person in the role if confirmed, succeeding Eric Garcetti, whose term ended earlier this year.
Trump highlighted that under Gor’s leadership, the Personnel Office has filled over 95 percent of federal appointments, placing thousands of America First loyalists across departments in record time.
Gor’s elevation comes amid heightened bilateral tensions; US tariffs on Indian imports have surged by up to 50 percent as leverage over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian energy.
His track record in policymaking may draw scrutiny. Gor has no notable foreign policy experience beyond accompanying Trump on international trips and overseeing personnel changes among National Security Council staff.
The nomination has reignited memories of a pronounced clash between Gor and Elon Musk. The tech entrepreneur had publicly labelled Gor a “snake” after Gor influenced Trump to withdraw Musk’s pick to head NASA—sparking widespread media attention.
Observers note the delicate timing of this appointment. With India’s strategic importance growing amid global competition, having a trusted ally in Delhi may reflect Trump’s intent to maintain a strong foothold in South Asia, though some critics argue it steers away from traditional diplomacy by sidelining career foreign service officials.
Gor’s background traces to Tashkent, then part of the Soviet Union, and he later moved to Malta before settling in the United States. He graduated from George Washington University and gained prominence through roles in conservative politics—from working with senator Rand Paul, to authoring and publishing Trump’s books via Winning Team Publishing, and heading a pro-Trump super PAC.
Support for his nomination has emerged quickly within the GOP. Vice-President J. D. Vance called him “a great guy” and a “fantastic ambassador,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio described him as “excellent” for fostering one of the most vital international relationships.