President-elect Trump has chosen Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, selecting one of his most loyal House allies to represent the country in a prominent diplomatic position.
Trump confirmed his decision in a statement provided to the New York Post late Sunday. “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter,” Trump said.
CNN was the first to report that Trump extended the offer to Stefanik. With likely confirmation by a GOP-controlled Senate, Stefanik is expected to be an assertive presence at the United Nations and a vocal supporter of Trump’s “America First” foreign policy, which emphasizes greater defense contributions from allies and a critical stance on large international institutions like the U.N.
Elise Stefanik’s journey from Congress to the U.N. emphasizes GOP’s strong stance on diplomacy
Stefanik brings limited experience in foreign policy and diplomacy. She has been a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee, with a history of strong support for Israel. She has previously criticized the U.N. as “antisemitic” and spoke to the Knesset in Jerusalem in May, reiterating U.S. commitment to Israel.
If Stefanik joins the administration, her appointment may impact Trump’s legislative agenda in the House, where Republicans are projected to hold a very slim majority. Her departure could temporarily narrow this margin further.
At age 40, Stefanik has risen as a prominent figure within the GOP, gaining attention for her defense of Trump during his first impeachment in 2019, joining GOP leadership in 2021, and questioning Ivy League presidents on campus antisemitism after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Stefanik has chaired the House Republican Conference since 2021 and has represented a New York district since 2015. She was first elected at age 30, becoming the youngest woman elected to Congress at that time, and has prior experience in President George W. Bush’s administration.
Previously, Nikki Haley and later Kelly Craft held the ambassador role during Trump’s first term. Trump recently announced Haley will not serve in his next administration. Stefanik has publicly expressed her interest in a position within the Trump administration since his election victory last week.
“He needs strong allies. I’m honored to have my name in the mix, but I’m focused on serving the president however he sees fit, whether that’s passing the agenda in Congress or serving in his administration,” Stefanik stated last week on a New York City radio show.
