Indian-American Community News Trump extols Indian-Americans, announces intent to nominate Neomi Rao to DC Circuit Court of Appeals
By Geeta Goindi
Washington, DC, November 13, 2018 – For the second consecutive year, President Donald Trump lighted the Diwali ‘diya’ (lamp) in the White House to commemorate the popular Indian festival of lights and, in the process, reach out to a highly skilled, meritorious diaspora. It was a fitting gesture on his part to recognize a festival widely celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
“I am thrilled to be here for the celebration of Diwali”, Trump said at the outset adding, “I am honored to host this beautiful ceremony at the White House”.
The president was surrounded by bright Indian-Americans serving in his administration and joined by special adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump, Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna and his wife Dr Avina Sarna. “Very, very special people”, he said looking around at the gathering in the historic Roosevelt Room.
He noted that the Diwali ceremony in the White House is “an appropriate place” to announce what became “the big story” of the day: his intent to nominate Indian-American Neomi Rao to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Rao, currently the administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, will be filling the seat vacated by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Pending Senate confirmation, she will have a seat on the nation’s second-highest court, just one step from the Supreme Court.