Trump AI Pick Has Supporters Up In Arms

One of Donald Trump’s picks is not making his most ardent supporters feeling warm and fuzzy this Christmas week. The appointment of Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence has ignited a contentious debate, highlighting the deepening divide between Silicon Valley’s pro-immigration tech leaders and the populist MAGA movement.

In early November, Mr. Krishnan pushed for the elimination of country-specific caps on green cards, which currently restrict the entry of skilled tech professionals from countries like India. Under the existing system, each country is limited to 7 percent of the total available green cards annually, resulting in significant backlogs for applicants from nations with high demand.

Sriram has been a U.S. citizen for a decade. He’s not “running America.” He’s advising on A.I. policy. He will have no influence over U.S. immigration policy. These attacks have become crude, and not in the holiday spirit. I’m signing off now. Have a merry Christmas.🎄 https://t.co/H3Ro6JfiRF

— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 25, 2024

David Sacks, a well-known Silicon Valley entrepreneur and outspoken supporter of Krishnan, has publicly defended his colleague against growing criticism. In response to social media posts questioning Krishnan’s suitability based on his Indian heritage, Sacks emphasized Krishnan’s long-standing commitment to the U.S. and clarified the specifics of his advisory position. “Sriram has been a U.S. citizen for a decade. He’s not ‘running America.’ He’s advising on AI policy. He will have no influence over U.S. immigration policy,” Sacks asserted.

Criticism from far-right figures, including commentator Laura Loomer, has intensified the debate. Loomer accused Krishnan of undermining the ‘America First’ agenda by advocating for reforms to the U.S. green card system and went so far as accusing Krishnan as voting for Harris. She also contended that removing country-specific green card caps would create disadvantages for American workers. Sacks, however, pushed back against these claims, clarifying that Krishnan’s advocacy focuses on improving the efficiency of the green card process, not eliminating caps entirely.

Leftwing Congressman Ro Khanna also stepped into the discussion, framing Krishnan’s appointment as a reflection of core American values. “It is GREAT that talent around the world wants to come here, not to China, and that Sriram can rise to the highest levels. It’s called American exceptionalism,” Khanna remarked.

You fools criticizing @sriramk as Indian born criticize Musk as South African born or Jensen as Taiwanese born. It is GREAT that talent around the world wants to come here, not to China, & that Sriram can rise to the highest levels. It’s called American exceptionalism. https://t.co/KgrdCD9A67

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) December 25, 2024

The controversy has also reignited debates about the H-1B visa program, a recurring point of tension in U.S. immigration policy. Critics often claim that the program is misused to substitute American workers with lower-cost foreign labor. Supporters, including Krishnan, argue that such programs are crucial for retaining top global talent and maintaining America’s competitive edge in technology and innovation.

As Krishnan steps into his new role, his primary focus will be on shaping AI policy—a critical area where the U.S. faces intense competition on the global stage. The controversy surrounding his appointment serves as a microcosm of the ideological divide within the MAGA movement, contrasting Silicon Valley’s merit-based, globally inclusive vision with nationalist concerns over domestic job security and immigration reform.

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