President-elect Trump Appoints Elise Stefanik as U.N. Ambassador
In a significant move for his incoming administration, President-elect Donald J. Trump has extended an offer to Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, to serve as the U.N. ambassador. This information comes from a knowledgeable source familiar with the discussions. Ms. Stefanik, who represents a predominantly Republican district in upstate New York and holds a leadership position within the House, has been a staunch advocate for Mr. Trump throughout his political journey.
The announcement of Ms. Stefanik’s appointment was initially reported by CNN and has since been confirmed by the president-elect to the New York Post. Ms. Stefanik has officially accepted the position, as stated by her office.
At just 40 years old, Ms. Stefanik has quickly risen to prominence within the Republican Party, particularly as a key ally to Mr. Trump during his first impeachment trial. She has previously served as the chair of the House Republican Conference, although her experience in matters of foreign policy and national security is relatively limited.
Despite her lack of extensive foreign policy experience, Ms. Stefanik has consistently voiced her strong support for Israel. She played a prominent role in congressional hearings that addressed the resignations of several university presidents, which stemmed from their inadequate responses to campus unrest following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
As the upcoming Congress is projected to have a narrow Republican majority, Ms. Stefanik’s departure from the House could further narrow their margin until a special election is held to fill her seat in what is expected to remain a safe district for the Republican Party.
This appointment follows Mr. Trump’s recent selection of Susie Wiles, a seasoned political strategist who played a pivotal role in his campaign, as his White House Chief of Staff. Additionally, on Sunday evening, Mr. Trump announced the appointment of Thomas D. Homan, known for his hardline stance on immigration, as his border czar.
