NEWS

President Biden taps LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to be ambassador to India

By Juliegrace Brufke

July 9, 2021 | 6:56pm

President Biden announced Friday that he has tapped Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as his nominee to serve as the U.S. ambassador to India. 

Speculation over whether Garcetti was in talks with the president for a position within the administration began to emerge in May. 

Garcetti was first elected to his position as mayor in 2013, previously serving as a city councilman and council president. He also served 12 years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve Component.

Following the announcement, Garcetti touted his record as a public servant and claimed he will “help strengthen Los Angeles’ place on the world stage.”

“Today, the President announced that I am his nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to India. I am honored to accept his nomination to serve in this role. I have committed my life to service – as an activist, as a teacher, as a naval officer, as a public servant, and if confirmed, next as an ambassador. Part of that commitment means that when your nation calls, you answer that call,” he said in a statement. 

“And should I be confirmed, I’ll bring this same energy, commitment, and love for this city to my new role and will forge partnerships and connections that will help strengthen Los Angeles’ place on the world stage.”

If he makes it through the confirmation process, he would be the first sitting L.A. mayor to leave the position voluntarily in more than 100 years, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

If confirmed, Garcetti will assume the position as India faces a surge of coronavirus cases. 

The White House praised his tenure as mayor and handling of the pandemic in his city in a statement announcing his nomination.