Nikki Haley: A Potential Secretary of State for Trump
Indian American Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, has emerged as a strong contender for the position of Secretary of State under incoming President Donald Trump.
Haley, who was a critic of Trump’s campaign and endorsed his rival Marco Rubio in the Republican primary, supported Trump in the general election. She was scheduled to meet Trump on Thursday, as the President-elect continues to deliberate on his Cabinet members. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton are also reportedly in the running for the key position.
Born Nimrata Randhawa to Sikh immigrant parents from Punjab, Haley became the first Indian American woman to be elected Governor of a U.S. State in 2010. During the primary, she criticized Trump’s politics, saying, "during anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices." In response, Trump retorted, "She’s very weak on illegal immigration."
If appointed to the cabinet, Haley would be a significant political message from Trump. As Governor of South Carolina, she removed the Confederate Flag from the legislative building in 2015, facing stiff opposition from white groups that considered it a part of their heritage. Due to its ties with slavery, the flag has a bruising impact on African American sensibility, and Haley took the decision to remove it after a white nationalist killed nine people at an African American church. The assassin had several photographs of himself with the Confederate Flag.
Haley, who represents the wing within the Republican Party that argues for a more socially inclusive approach, also experienced racial discrimination as a child. Her appointment to the cabinet would be a significant political message from Trump.
Reference : https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Nikki-Haley-to-meet-Trump-could-be-Secretary-of-State/article16666717.ece
