Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik’s nomination for UN ambassador: What to know
Stefanik is a strong supporter of the president and has been highly critical of the United Nations on Israel-related issues.
NEW YORK — US President Donald Trump withdrew on Thursday his nomination of staunch pro-Israel Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, a move that could help Republicans maintain their narrow majority in the House but will delay the filling of the ambassadorship.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he asked Stefanik to remain in Congress, citing the Republicans’ “very tight Majority.”
“I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” said Trump.
Trump said that he does not want to “take a chance” on someone else running for Stefanik’s seat, but added she might join the administration in the future.
A spokesperson for Stefanik did not immediately respond to Al-Monitor’s request for comment.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said in a post on X that Stefanik had agreed to withdraw.
Who is Stefanik? Stefanik, a Republican, has served as the representative for New York’s 21st congressional district since 2015. She won reelection to her seat in November with more than 62% of the vote. Trump tapped her to be his nominee for UN ambassador in November.
Stefanik is known for her strong pro-Israel views. During her January confirmation hearing, she described “antisemitic rot” within the UN, citing the disproportionate number of resolutions aimed at Israel in the body. She also slammed the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, during the hearing.
"Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic or engaging in fraud, corruption or terrorism,” she said.
The UN declared in August that nine UNRWA employees in Gaza may have participated in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The Biden administration stopped funding the agency in January of last year after Israel alleged some of the staff partook in the attack. The administration had restored funding in 2021 after it was cut by Trump during his first term.
Stefanik spoke before the Israeli Knesset in May and called on Israel to wipe Hamas “off the face of the earth.”
The congresswoman has also defended Trump’s Iran strategy. She told the Senate in January that the president’s “maximum pressure” campaign during his first term was “so successful.”
“I think that is also the step to take to stop the axis of terror in the region as Iran is the number one funder of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis,” she said.
Trump restored his maximum pressure strategy last month, adding additional sanctions on Iran in an effort to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in February that Iran’s stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium is increasing.
Stefanik’s current term will end in January of 2027, and she will be up for reelection again in November of 2026. She presently serves on the intelligence and armed services committees, among others.
Why it matters: Republicans currently hold 218 seats in the House of Representatives, while the Democrats hold 213. There are currently four vacancies: two previously held by Republicans and two previously held by Democrats.
Among the vacancies is the Florida seat, which was held by Trump’s current national security adviser, Mike Waltz.
Stefanik might have been a staunch ally to Trump in her role at the UN. She is a fierce defender of the president and has described herself as “ultra-MAGA,” endorsing Trump in the 2024 election before he announced he was running.
Local party committees, as opposed to voters, would have been responsible for nominating their own candidates to replace Stefanik under New York’s election laws. The election was never scheduled because Stefanik has remained in Congress since being nominated.
What's next: Trump has yet to name a new nominee for the UN ambassador post. Career diplomat Dorothy Shea has been serving in the position since the end of President Joe Biden's term in January. Shea replaced Biden's ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
The list of people Trump reportedly considered for top foreign policy positions includes Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty; his former national security adviser, Robert O'Brien; and diplomat Richard Grenell, currently serving as special presidential envoy for special missions.
