Trump nominates NY Rep Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to UN

Donald Trump has nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth highest ranking House GOP member, to be the US Ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik put pressure on university heads earlier this year in the wake of anti-semitic protests and violence on their campuses in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 pogrom by Hamas terrorists in Israel.

In a statement to the New York Post late Sunday, Trump said, "I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter." 

Stefanik has accepted, telling the Post, "I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate."

"President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead — both at home and abroad," she continued. "America continues to be the beacon of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek."

Stefanik has been a defender of Trump, filing ethics and bar complaints against judges and prosecutors involved in cases against Trump for "biased investigation and prosecution" and election interference, among other things. Stefanik also grilled Ivy League college heads in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and antisemitism spreading on campuses, resulting in the resignations of those heads.

Stefanik won her reelection last week, taking in 62.3 percent of the vote for the NY District 21 seat to Democrat challenger Paula Collins' 37.7 percent. According to the Post, Gov. Kathy Hochul must call a special election within 10 days of the seat’s vacancy, with the election being held 70-80 days out from that point. In that election, the Republican nominee will be chosen by county GOP chairs instead of by a primary. A source familiar with the special election campaign said the district is "ruby red" and "pro-Trump," and said that "the seat will not remain vacant for long."