Trump appoints Dan Scavino to lead White House personnel office, replacing Sergio Gor
President Donald Trump announced that Dan Scavino will head the White House Presidential Personnel Office, replacing Sergio Gor, who has been appointed US Ambassador-designate to India.Notably, for nearly eight months, India had no American ambassador after the Biden-era appointee Eric Garcetti left on January 20, 2025. Since then, Washington and New Delhi have been actively engaging and negotiating trade deals.
Trump took to social media to congratulate Scavino, tweeting: “I am pleased to announce that the great Dan Scavino, in addition to remaining Deputy Chief of Staff, will head the White House Presidential Personnel Office, replacing Sergio Gor, who did a wonderful job in that position, and will now become the Ambassador to India. Dan will be responsible for the selection and appointment of almost all positions in government, a very big and important position. Congratulations Dan, you will do a fantastic job!!!”
Scavino, currently Deputy Chief of Staff, has long been a close associate of Trump, having served as Director of Social Media for the 2016 campaign and in senior advisory roles in the administration. As head of the Presidential Personnel Office, he will be the ultimate decision-maker on who may serve in the administration, overseeing appointments to political and senior leadership positions. Trump’s appointments often favor loyalty and personal connections, with Scavino’s decades-long association with Trump, including as a golf club colleague, highlighting this style of leadership.
Meanwhile, Sergio Gor arrived in New Delhi for a six-day visit, underscoring the administration’s continued focus on strategic international partnerships. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss trade, technology, defense, and critical minerals, areas that are also priorities for political appointments overseen by Scavino. Gor presented Modi with a framed photograph of the two leaders, inscribed with Trump’s message: “Mr. Prime Minister, you are great,” reflecting the personal rapport that shapes both domestic staffing and foreign engagement.
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