Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-NY) nomination to serve as President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations has been withdrawn due to concerns over maintaining Republican control in the House of Representatives.
#BREAKING: The White House has PULLED Elise Stefanik’s nomination for United Nations Ambassador
This is due to our razor thin majority in the House, and being confirmed as UN ambassador would require Stefanik to resign her seat.
Trump should nominate @RichardGrenell next! pic.twitter.com/M3bIK8LbDX
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 27, 2025
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Trump posted on social media, explaining that it was crucial to preserve every Republican seat in Congress as the party pushes forward with its America First agenda.
“I asked Elise, as one of my biggest allies, to remain in Congress,” Trump stated.
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The White House informed Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch (R-ID) of the decision to withdraw Stefanik’s nomination just minutes before the formal announcement, catching Senate Republicans by surprise.
Risch, who had been unaware of the impending withdrawal until shortly before it occurred, told the Washington Examiner, “I was informed that just minutes ago.”
Less than an hour before, he had indicated that he had not been in contact with the White House regarding Stefanik’s nomination.
Stefanik had been one of Trump’s earliest picks after his return to the White House. She had previously stepped down from her leadership position in the House, with Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) winning the GOP Conference chairwoman role.
Trump had expressed his desire for Stefanik to return to House leadership, though it is unclear what role she would take, as McClain has no plans to resign.
In his social media post, Trump reassured that Stefanik would remain in Congress and rejoin the leadership team.
He also expressed hope that she could join his administration in the future. “Speaker Johnson is thrilled! I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future. She is absolutely FANTASTIC,” Trump wrote.
.@EliseStefanik is a PATRIOT! pic.twitter.com/bS6Qh3rpJv
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) March 27, 2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) also voiced his support for Stefanik’s decision to stay in Congress.
“Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American people,” Johnson said.
He praised Stefanik as “selfless” for remaining in the House to assist in advancing Trump’s legislative agenda.
Johnson highlighted the critical nature of the “razor-thin House majority,” emphasizing that Stefanik’s presence in Congress was essential for pushing Trump’s policies.
“There is no doubt she would have served with distinction as our ambassador to the United Nations, but we are grateful for her willingness to sacrifice that position and remain in Congress to help us save the country,” Johnson added.
Elise Stefanik is truly a great leader and a devoted patriot. Today’s selfless decision shows America what those of us who work with her already know. She is deeply devoted to her country and fully committed to see President Trump’s agenda succeed in Congress. It is well known…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) March 27, 2025
Reports began circulating six days before Stefanik’s nomination was set to proceed that there was increasing pressure for her to withdraw due to the slim majority Republicans hold in the House.
The decision to withdraw her nomination reflects the challenges of securing enough votes in the House to pass important legislation, particularly given the tight margins Republicans are working with.
WATCH my interview with @kayleighmcenany on tonight’s @seanhannity pic.twitter.com/dFchfkDCxK
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) March 28, 2025
This situation echoes a previous instance in which former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general following an Ethics Committee report on his alleged behavior while in office.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) referenced the “political realities” surrounding the decision, noting that Stefanik would have made an excellent U.N. ambassador but that the realities of the current political landscape made her staying in Congress more important.
A senior White House official explained that Stefanik’s seat likely would have remained vacant for much of the year, raising concerns over the potential delay in scheduling a special election by New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY). Republicans are working against a tight timeline, with hopes of passing key tax, border, and energy legislation by Memorial Day.
“We don’t have time to waste. We need to get President Trump’s agenda enacted as soon as possible,” the official said.
“Debt ceiling and reconciliation votes are going to be tough already due to Democrats and slim margins and we can’t make it tougher on ourselves.”
The withdrawal of Stefanik’s nomination reflects ongoing concerns within the Republican Party about the narrow margins in the House and the potential impact of vacancies.
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