President-elect Donald Trump has officially nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, according to multiple officials. In a statement, Trump praised Stefanik, calling her “an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter.”
Stefanik, a Republican representing New York’s 21st District, recently secured her sixth term in the House of Representatives. She made history in 2014 as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Since becoming chair of the House Republican Conference in May 2021, she has been an influential figure in her party, especially after succeeding Liz Cheney, who faced backlash from Republicans for her criticisms of Trump following the January 6 events.
Initially regarded as a moderate, Stefanik has since emerged as one of Trump’s strongest supporters. She opposed his first impeachment in 2019 and contested the results of the 2020 election. Recently, she has taken a prominent stance on addressing antisemitism on college campuses, questioning university leaders about their reactions to protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Throughout her career, Stefanik has voiced strong support for Israel and has criticized the United Nations for alleged antisemitic sentiments, notably calling for the defunding of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees amid security concerns regarding Hamas.
In her remarks to the New York Post, she expressed gratitude for the nomination, stating she is “truly honored” and looks forward to gaining the support of her Senate colleagues.
As she prepares to leave her congressional seat for this new role, New York law stipulates that a special election must be called to fill her position, with the election scheduled within a specific timeframe following the vacancy. Despite this transition, she recently won reelection by a significant margin of 24 points over her Democratic opponent, leading state Republican leaders to express confidence in retaining her seat.
Chairman Ed Cox of the New York State Republican Party commended both Trump for the nomination and Stefanik for her achievement, describing it as a well-earned honor.
This appointment marks a significant moment for both Trump’s administration and Stefanik’s career, as she moves from being a member of Congress to a key diplomatic role that could influence U.S. foreign policy.
This transition presents an opportunity for Stefanik to expand her influence on the international stage, particularly in addressing issues that are critical to her party’s platform, such as the U.S.-Israel relationship and responses to global challenges.