Trump Appoints Maura Namdar to Oversee U.S. Visa and Consular Policy

The appointment of attorney and entrepreneur Maura Namdar by President Donald Trump has drawn significant attention after she was promoted this week to the position of Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, a role that oversees passport issuance, visa approvals, and the protection of U.S. citizens abroad, according to The Independent.

Namdar, 38, is from Texas and of Iranian descent. She previously worked at the U.S. Department of State on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) issues. In addition to her legal career, she founded a private law firm and launched a beauty business called “Bam Beauty Bar,” which has expanded to several cities across Texas.

During her testimony before a Senate committee in October, Namdar emphasized her commitment to ensuring that visas are granted only to applicants who fully meet eligibility requirements. She stated that criticizing Israel or advocating for the Palestinian cause could be considered a threat to U.S. interests, potentially leading to the denial or revocation of visas.

Her remarks were aligned with positions expressed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has stressed that consular officers have the authority to revoke visas if the holder engages in activities that undermine U.S. foreign policy.

Namdar’s official biography on the State Department website highlights her legal and business experience, including work at a Fortune 500 company and the management of several successful ventures. Her law firm announced on Instagram that it would suspend operations following her promotion.

Namdar was also among the contributors to “Project 2025,” a comprehensive 900-page political blueprint, in which she authored a section on the U.S. Agency for Global Media, calling for its reform or closure on the grounds that it poses “espionage-related security risks.”

This appointment places Namdar in a highly influential role shaping immigration and visa policies and has sparked broad debate about her diverse background in law, business, and politics, as well as whether she will be able to manage one of the most sensitive departments within the U.S. State Department.