The White House has decided to pull Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-N.Y.) nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, worried that losing her House seat could make it harder to pass President Trump’s agenda.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James E. Risch (R-Idaho) received the news from the White House on Thursday afternoon, confirming a rumor that had been circulating earlier in the day. “I got a call from the White House,” Risch said, explaining that they had told him they were withdrawing the nomination.
The move is a significant setback for Stefanik, who had been a vocal Trump supporter after initially being skeptical of him. She had even stepped down from a key leadership role in the House GOP after Trump nominated her to the U.N. position.
Trump nominated Stefanik on January 20, the same day he was inaugurated, and her confirmation hearing was held the following day. But after that, there was little movement on her nomination.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said the decision had to do with “political realities” and the challenges Republicans face in the House.
Some House Republicans were concerned that if Stefanik were confirmed, it would weaken their majority. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) would lose a vote, and it was unclear how long it would take New York Governor Kathy Hochul to schedule a special election to fill her seat.
Trump confirmed the decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, explaining that the tight House majority and uncertainty about the special election were key factors. He wrote, “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.”
Trump added that with such a narrow majority in the House, it wouldn’t be wise to risk losing Stefanik’s seat. He also noted that “others can do a good job at the United Nations.”
Currently, House Republicans control a slim majority of 218-213, making it difficult for Speaker Johnson to pass major legislation. Trump also said that Stefanik would “rejoin the House Leadership Team” and continue to fight for his policies. It’s unclear in what capacity Stefanik will rejoin leadership, as most positions are already filled, but there is a spot for a “chair of the Elected Leadership Committee.”
Speaker Johnson praised Stefanik for her decision and said he would invite her back into leadership. “It is well known Republicans have a razor-thin House majority, and Elise’s agreement to withdraw her nomination will allow us to keep one of the toughest, most resolute members of our Conference in place to help drive forward President Trump’s America First policies,” he said.
Before the withdrawal, Stefanik’s confirmation was expected to move forward after the April 1 special elections in Florida. However, uncertainty in those races made some Republicans nervous.
Stefanik’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
In November, Trump announced he would nominate Stefanik to the U.N., calling her a strong “America First fighter.” Stefanik, 40, became the chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021 after former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was removed for criticizing Trump following the January 6 Capitol attack.
