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President-elect Donald Trump has named New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as his United Nations ambassador, she confirmed in a 4:14 p.m. X post Monday afternoon.

Stefanik currently represents the state’s 21st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The congresswoman is the fourth-ranking House Republican and has continuously supported Trump and his policies throughout her time in office.

Just before 11 p.m. on election night last Tuesday, the Associated Press called Stefanik the winner of the NY-21 district — just north of NY-22. Stefanik’s nomination as U.N. ambassador must be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate and, if she is confirmed, New York will need to hold a special election next year to fill her House seat.

“I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” Stefanik wrote. “I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations.”

The congresswoman accepted the position Sunday night, Trump told the New York Post. The Post reported Stefanik’s appointment Sunday night, and she confirmed the decision in her X post the next day.

Stefanik has previously criticized the U.N. and President Joe Biden’s administration over its handling of the Israel-Hamas war, saying in an Oct. 16 press release that “weak leadership and inexcusable silence” allowed the “Palestinian Authority to try to expel Israel from the UN General Assembly.”

Congressman Brandon Williams, the outgoing NY-22 representative, wrote in a Monday morning X post that he has been “proud to partner” with Stefanik during his time in the House. He said he believes she will restore “American prestige and power on the world stage” in her capacity as U.N. ambassador.

Stefanik also posted a statement from Trump, which described the congresswoman as the “first Member of Congress to endorse me” and as a “staunch advocate” of the president-elect.

During his 2016 presidential campaign and in the early days of his first presidency, Stefanik denounced Trump. She criticized his proposed Muslim travel ban and promise to build a wall along the nation’s southern border. During her 2016 congressional campaign, Stefanik promised to be an “independent voice” from Republicans who were loyal to Trump.

Stefanik has since become a prominent supporter of the former president. She defended his false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. She was one of 126 House Republicans to sign an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to throw out Biden’s win.

With news of a potential special election, Democrats have since proposed candidates to help them flip the seat. Paula Collins, whom Stefanik defeated with 62.3% of the vote last week, said she would be interested in running again.

Published on November 12, 2024 at 12:28 am

Contact Henry: hdaley@syr.edu