Former President Donald Trump announced Thursday he has rescinded his nomination of Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) for the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations, citing the necessity of maintaining Republican control in the House of
Representatives.
The decision, revealed through Trump’s Truth Social platform, emphasized the importance of preserving every Republican seat in Congress given the party’s slim majority. Trump praised Stefanik as a crucial ally in advancing his “America First” agenda and indicated she would serve a more valuable role by remaining in Congress.
“We must maintain unity to accomplish our mission,” Trump stated, highlighting Stefanik’s potential contributions to key initiatives including tax reduction, job creation, economic growth, border security, and energy independence. The former president expressed concern about risking the seat with a different candidate, though he noted Stefanik would have a place in his future administration.
Stefanik, who had previously stepped down from her position as House GOP conference chair following the nomination, will now return to House Republican leadership, though her specific role remains undefined. Representative Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) had assumed the conference chair position following Stefanik’s departure.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed via social media platform X that Stefanik would be invited to rejoin the House GOP leadership team. Johnson acknowledged the critical nature of the Republicans’ narrow House majority and praised Stefanik’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the UN post.
“Her sacrifice of this position will enable us to retain one of our most determined members in the fight to advance President Trump’s America First policies,” Johnson stated. He added that while Stefanik would have excelled as UN ambassador, her continued presence in Congress is vital for the party’s objectives.
During her confirmation process, Stefanik had made a strong impression at her Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, where she took a firm stance against what she described as “anti-Semitic rot” within the United Nations. She particularly criticized the international body’s approach toward Israel and questioned the use of American tax dollars in supporting organizations she believed acted counter to U.S. interests.
“Our financial contributions should not support entities engaging in anti-Semitism, fraud, corruption, or terrorism,” Stefanik declared during her testimony. The committee had subsequently approved her nomination by voice vote on January 30.
Stefanik has established herself as one of Trump’s strongest supporters in Congress, becoming the first congressional
representative to endorse his 2024 presidential campaign. Her political career began in 2014 when she was elected to represent New York’s 21st Congressional District, making history as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at that time.
The withdrawal of Stefanik’s nomination reflects the delicate balance Republicans must maintain in the House, where their narrow majority makes every seat crucial for advancing their legislative agenda. Trump’s decision underscores the strategic importance of keeping experienced lawmakers in their current positions rather than risking potential changes in congressional representation.