Trump pulls Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be U.N. ambassador

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday he was pulling the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, citing concerns about the House’s slim margin to enact his legislative agenda.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Stefanik “will stay in Congress,” months after he announced his intent to appoint her to the position in his administration.

“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 said in a Truth Social post. “With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day.”

“There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations,” the president continued. “Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled!”

The unexpected development marks a significant blow to Stefanik, a Trump loyalist and rising star in the party. Stefanik was reported favorably out of the Foreign Relations Committee at the end of January, but never received a confirmation vote in the full Senate.

CBS News was first to report that Trump was considering withdrawing her nomination.

Stefanik’s Instagram stories on Thursday featured highlights of her decadelong congressional career. One House Republican close to her said Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., had informed lawmakers he was planning to host a going-away party for Stefanik on Monday.

While nearly all other of Trump’s high-level administration appointments have been confirmed by the Senate, the upper chamber has slow-walked Stefanik’s confirmation for weeks due to concerns over House Republicans’ narrow majority. On multiple occasions, Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. have needed her vote to advance Trump’s agenda.

On Feb. 25, House Republicans adopted a budget resolution with zero votes to spare, a critical step to begin the process to pass Trump’s sweeping border, energy and tax policy plans.

And just this month, the House narrowly voted to pass a six-month GOP funding bill to avert a government shutdown, jamming Senate Democrats who despised the proposal.

In the coming months, House Republicans will face another difficult gauntlet as they try to pass their reconciliation package that contains many of Trump’s 2024 campaign promises.

Republicans had expected Stefanik to be easily confirmed in the Senate.