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By Mandy Taheri
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President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he askedRepresentative Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, to withdraw her nomination to serve as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations.
Newsweek reached out to Stefanik's press team and the White House via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Stefanik, a loyal Trump supporter, was tapped for the Senate-confirmed position in Trump's new administration just days after he won the 2024 presidential election. She is currently the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House.
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Her appointment, if she was confirmed, would have created a vacancy in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. Stefanik was facing pressure to consider withdrawing from the nomination to help preserve the GOP's slim edge in the chamber.
Republicans have a 218-213 seat majority in the House. Four vacant seats are up for special elections this year.
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What To Know
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Thursday afternoon that "as we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress," adding that it has led him to ask Stefanik "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."
Trump noted that "With a very tight Majority, I don't want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise's seat."
He continued his post, saying: "Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled! I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future. She is absolutely FANTASTIC."
Stefanik represents New York's 21st Congressional District, which Cook Political Report's partisan voting index (PVI) identifies as +4 Republican.
Had Stefanik been confirmed to the post, her seat would have become vacant, triggering a special election. Four House special elections are scheduled this year—two due to deaths and two related to Trump administration nominations.
The Florida seat previously held by Mike Waltz, now Trump's national security adviser, is vacant. Another vacancy was created when Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, once considered for Trump's attorney general, resigned before withdrawing from consideration.
The other two vacancies are from Democrats Raul Grijalva and Sylvester Turner, who both passed away this month.
The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., a post held by Nikki Haley during the first Trump administration, represents American foreign policy at the United Nations, advises the president on foreign diplomatic matters, and negotiates various resolutions, sanctions, and peace deals, among other initiatives.
Stefanik's congressional career was highlighted during House hearings over antisemitism on college campuses. She is a staunch advocate for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has criticized the U.N. for what she calls its "extreme antisemitism and moral depravity" over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump in a November 11 statement announcing Stefanik's nomination: "I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter...She was the first Member of Congress to endorse me, and has always been a staunch advocate."
Representative Max Miller, an Ohio Republican, on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: "Elise Stefanik is tough, smart, and ready to put America first on the world stage. She is the voice we need to fix the corrupt and broken United Nations. The House Majority is solid, together, and ready to fight for the America First agenda."
Lakshya Jain of Split Ticket, an election analysis and forecasting organization, Wednesday on X: "I suspect the election for Elise Stefanik's seat is going to be uncomfortably close for Republicans, but as a reminder: the D+16 swing that flipped the Trump +15 state Senate seat in Lancaster, PA would still see the GOP hold NY-21 by 4. An upset is possible, but tough."
What Happens Next
The Florida special elections are set to take place on April 1, which could bolster the GOP's House lead. Trump has not yet named a replacement nominee for the U.N. post.
Update 3/27/25, 2:30 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and a revised headline.
Update 3/27/25, 1:22 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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