President-elect Donald Trump has chosen House Representative Elise Stefanik of New York to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, offering her a significant role in his incoming administration. Trump praised Stefanik’s leadership qualities and loyalty, stating, “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter.”
Stefanik, currently the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House, has been a vocal supporter of Trump over the years and was even speculated to be considered as his running mate during the presidential election. Upon receiving the nomination, Stefanik expressed gratitude and a sense of responsibility, saying she felt “deeply humbled” by the opportunity to step into a role she described as critical given the current global climate.
In her statement following the announcement, Stefanik outlined the challenges she anticipates, citing a rise in antisemitism and a perceived weakening of U.S. influence under previous leadership. “The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries,” she said. “I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations.”
The next step for Stefanik will be the Senate confirmation process, which is expected to be smooth given that Republicans have regained control of the Senate. According to New York state law, if Stefanik’s House seat is vacated, Governor Kathy Hochul would be required to hold a special election within ten days. Stefanik’s district in New York is considered a solidly Republican area, making her successor likely to come from the same party.
News of Stefanik’s appointment was initially reported by CNN over the weekend, adding a layer of anticipation for the official announcement. Stefanik, who has represented New York’s 21st congressional district since her election in 2014, made history at the time as the youngest woman to win a seat in Congress. Her career in politics began on a more moderate path; she worked for former President George W. Bush and supported Mitt Romney during his presidential bid, with former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan acting as a mentor.
Stefanik’s early political stance was more conservative-moderate, which was apparent in 2016 when she criticized Trump over the infamous Access Hollywood tape, calling his comments “inappropriate” and “offensive.” This stance evolved significantly over the years, with Stefanik becoming one of Trump’s most steadfast supporters. Her loyalty was particularly evident during Trump’s first impeachment proceedings in 2019, where she emerged as a key defender. Stefanik’s support for Trump continued into the 2020 election and its aftermath, as she questioned the results, echoed election fraud claims, and backed a legal attempt to challenge President Joe Biden’s victory.
In 2021, Stefanik’s political alignment with Trump helped her ascend to the role of chair for the House Republican Conference, succeeding Liz Cheney, who was removed from the post for her criticism of Trump. Stefanik’s position and visibility increased further in her advocacy for Israel amid escalating conflicts and her commitment to combat antisemitism. Last winter, she was a prominent figure in congressional hearings on the topic, where she challenged the presidents of major universities such as the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard over the handling of antisemitic incidents on campuses.
While Stefanik takes on the role of U.N. ambassador nominee, a previous occupant of the position, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, will not be returning to Trump’s team. Haley, once Trump’s primary competitor in the Republican primary for the 2024 election, served as U.N. ambassador during Trump’s first term. Trump confirmed via his Truth Social account that Haley would not be joining his new administration.
