President-elect Donald Trump has selected Representative Elise Stefanik as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, providing the assertive New York Republican with an opportunity to challenge the direction of an international organization that has become increasingly antagonistic toward the U.S. and its interests.
"I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations," Trump stated in an exclusive statement to the New York Post on Sunday night. "Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First advocate."
A strong ally of Trump, Stefanik defended the former president during his first impeachment trial in 2020, when he was accused of pressuring Ukraine to investigate the Biden family's business dealings. She is anticipated to be a vocal proponent of Trump’s "America First" policy.
Stefanik has accepted the position.
"I am truly honored to receive President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations," Stefanik said in a statement. "In my conversation with President Trump, I expressed how humbled I am to accept his nomination, and I look forward to gaining the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate."
Stefanik is likely to be confirmed by the Senate, as Republicans will hold control in the next congressional session.
"President Trump’s historic landslide victory has renewed hope for the American people and reminds us that brighter days lie ahead—both at home and abroad," Stefanik stated. "America remains a beacon to the world, but we expect and must demand that our allies be strong partners in the pursuit of peace."
The New York lawmaker steps into her new role at a critical moment for the United Nations, which has repeatedly sought to restrain Israel in its ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
As House Republican Conference chair, Stefanik has been outspoken against campus antisemitism in the past year, notably challenging three Ivy League presidents in December over their failure to denounce antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric on campus. Her strong questioning contributed to the resignations of Harvard's Claudine Gay and the University of Pennsylvania’s Liz Magill, though Massachusetts Institute of Technology president Sally Kornbluth remains in her position.
The U.N. has faced considerable criticism from Republicans for its response to Israel's actions in Gaza, and some members of its humanitarian organization, UNRWA, have been accused of involvement in Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel last year. Stefanik is expected to bring her staunch pro-Israel stance to the U.N. as Trump assumes the presidency in January.
"The work ahead is immense as we witness a rise in antisemitism alongside four years of weak U.S. leadership that compromised our national security and diminished our standing globally," Stefanik said.
"I am ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s 'peace through strength' leadership approach on the global stage from Day One at the United Nations."
Stefanik's nomination follows Trump's decision to exclude former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from his next administration’s Cabinet. Stefanik is the latest appointee for Trump’s second term, joining former acting ICE director Tom Homan and longtime campaign manager Susie Wiles, who will serve respectively as Trump’s border czar and White House chief of staff.
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