Who is Stefanik? Trump picks key House ally to be next UN ambassador

by Junna Base November 11, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump has named Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as the next ambassador to the United Nations, according to multiple reports. The New York legislature accepted the offer.

Trump’s nomination of Stefanik, a longtime congressional ally, is his first Cabinet choice after he was re-elected to a second, non-consecutive term in the White House on Tuesday.

“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in my Cabinet. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter,” Trump said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The New York Post first reported Trump’s decision.

Stefanik needs Senate confirmation to officially take office.

“During my conversation with President Trump, I expressed how excited I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to winning the support of my colleagues in the U.S. Senate,” Stefanik said in a statement to the Post .

The five-term congresswoman made a name for herself on Capitol Hill as one of Trump’s staunchest allies. She was reportedly on his list of potential candidates to run in 2024 and rallied Republican voters at the Republican National Convention this summer.

One of Stefanik’s most high-profile moments came last year during a congressional hearing with college presidents from Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and MIT. During the hearing, she asked them whether calling for genocide against Jews warranted disciplinary action.

All three presidents waffled and dodged the question, instead giving legal answers without directly condemning the call for genocide against the Jews. Two of the presidents, former Penn President Liz Magill and former Harvard President Claudine Gay, have since resigned from their positions.

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