Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik's nomination to be UN ambassador

President Donald Trump has withdrawn the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik. She was set to become the US ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump announced his decision on social media. He emphasized that Stefanik should keep her House seat. This is crucial for maintaining the Republicans' slim majority.

"I don't want to risk anyone else running for Elise's seat," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The people love Elise, and we have nothing to worry about come Election Day." He added that others could do a good job at the UN.

Stefanik is one of Trump's biggest allies. The president stated she would rejoin the House leadership team. She had given up her position as House Republican Conference chairperson for the UN role.

Speaker Mike Johnson praised her in a statement. He said she would have served well as ambassador but appreciated her choice to stay in Congress.

Stefanik, once a Trump critic, became a MAGA favorite. She was Trump's first cabinet pick and expected easy Senate confirmation. However, her vote was delayed because she was needed in the House for Republican legislation.

Her confirmation vote was set after special elections in Florida on April 1. Former Rep Mike Waltz left two Republican-safe seats empty.

Discussions at the White House focused on whether Stefanik should stay in Congress. This is important for protecting the narrow 218-213 Republican majority.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries commented on Trump's decision. He suggested it showed Republicans were panicking about losing a district they won by 21 points in November 2024.

"He withdrew her nomination because extremists fear losing her seat," Jeffries said. "The Republican agenda is unpopular, and they are running scared."

Stefanik will continue representing her solidly Republican district in upstate New York. She recently held a farewell tour before preparing for the UN role and attended a White House cabinet meeting last month.

During her confirmation hearing, Stefanik pledged to support Trump's agenda, especially his foreign policy approach of "peace through strength."

As a Congress member, she has been critical of the UN and defended Israel strongly. She previously called for cutting US funding to the UN, labeling it anti-Semitic and corrupt.

The Trump administration has begun reviewing US funding to the UN's budget and making cuts to foreign aid affecting several agencies significantly.

The organization is now assessing how further cuts or delays would impact its operations amid financial strain. It plans to reduce spending by up to 20% and impose a hiring freeze urgently.

The White House has not yet announced who might be nominated next as ambassador to the UN. One diplomat mentioned that having an ambassador soon would help engage with Trump's administration better.

Stefanik's withdrawal marks the fourth nominee not confirmed during this process. Former congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew after being nominated as attorney general, while Chad Chronister stepped back from leading the DEA, and David Weldon withdrew from directing the CDC.