The key facts
- According to The Washington Sun, the Trump administration is discussing appointing Ambassador to India Sergio Gor as Secretary of State, White House chief of staff, or deputy Secretary of State
- The discussions are linked to the Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections, in which Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress
- Gor, the State Department and the White House deny reports of the reshuffle
What The Washington Sun reports
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor is being considered in President Donald Trump's circle as a candidate for several high-level posts, including the position of Secretary of State currently held by Marco Rubio. This is reported by The Washington Sun, citing ten sources, familiar with internal discussions in the administration. In addition to the post of head of the foreign policy agency, the outlet names the position of White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles, and deputy Secretary of State, replacing Christopher Landau. One American official familiar with the discussions explained: 'He wants to play a more visible role in public.'
Connection to the midterm elections
According to the outlet, the personnel reshuffle is being discussed after the Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections, as a result of which Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance linked the defeat to the war in Iran. Some officials at the State Department and in Republican circles suggest that Rubio may leave the administration to prepare for the 2028 or 2032 presidential elections, while Susie Wiles's position in the president's circle is seen as unstable.
Official denials
Gor himself denied reports that he was seeking a new position: 'This is absolute nonsense. Marco Rubio has proven to be the most qualified, experienced and outstanding Secretary of State in history. No one will be able to replace him... I am not seeking any positions.' Rubio's public affairs assistant Dylan Johnson called the publication 'a fabrication based on anonymous sources,' and a White House representative stressed that Gor is not interested in other posts, and that Rubio and Wiles 'are doing an excellent job.'
Who is Sergio Gor
Gor previously headed the White House Office of Personnel, responsible for vetting candidates for thousands of government positions, worked on Trump's 2024 campaign and for about ten years on Capitol Hill. In November 2025 he was appointed US Ambassador to India and simultaneously serves as special envoy for South and Central Asia. Thanks to his direct access to Trump, he participates in negotiations with foreign states beyond India; one of the president's advisers noted that 'the president likes him.' At the same time, The Washington Sun points out that it is unknown whether Gor could be confirmed by the Senate for a Cabinet post: when he was appointed ambassador to India, all Democrats in the Senate voted against his candidacy.
