Mora Namdar, an attorney and part-time salon owner, has been appointed to a senior role at the U.S. Department of State, where she will oversee crucial aspects of visa approvals, passport issuance, and the welfare of American citizens abroad. The 38-year-old, whose parents are Iranian immigrants, was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Consular Affairs this week, a significant promotion following her work on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
Namdar’s new position could place her in a decision-making capacity regarding visa applications from individuals critical of the Trump administration. In testimony before a Senate committee in October, she stated her commitment to ensuring that U.S. visas are granted only to those meeting qualifications and that visa holders adhere to their terms. She emphasized that violations could lead to the revocation of such privileges.
Her public statements suggest an alignment with views that equate criticism of Israel and pro-Palestinian advocacy with potential threats to U.S. interests. Namdar quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting the responsibility of consular officers to ensure visas are issued only to individuals who meet criteria and do not pose a threat. This stance indicates a potential for stricter scrutiny of visa applicants based on their political expressions.
Before entering public service, Namdar operated her own law firm, Namdar Law, and also launched a successful beauty business, Bam Beauty Bar, with salons across Texas. The State Department’s biography notes her extensive entrepreneurial background, emphasizing her licensure as an attorney in both Texas and Washington D.C. Her law firm has since announced its closure following her promotion.
Namdar was also an author of a section within the 900-page Project 2025 policy blueprint. In this document, she characterized the media and academia as a “center of Leftist power.” Her specific contribution focused on the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees international broadcasting networks in countries with limited press freedom.
Within the Project 2025 blueprint, Namdar called for significant reforms or even the complete shutdown of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. She raised concerns about alleged “espionage-related security risks” associated with the agency, indicating a critical view of its operations and potential foreign policy implications. Her appointment to oversee consular affairs signals a potential shift in the administration’s approach to immigration and foreign policy.
