Trump set to announce Elise Stefanik as his UN ambassador
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Reports indicate that Donald Trump is preparing to choose New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for the position of US ambassador to the United Nations.
A 40-year-old Republican congressman reportedly agreed to the president-elect's proposal following Trump's comments to the New York Post on Sunday night.
"I am proud to put forward Chairwoman Elise Stefanik as my candidate for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an exceptionally strong, resilient, and intelligent advocate for America First," Trump mentioned in a statement.
On Sunday evening, CNN received information from two sources close to the situation, indicating that Trump had proposed the ambassador position to Stefanik, just before she announced her appointment.
In a statement to The Post, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude for being nominated by President Trump to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, saying she feels truly privileged to accept this position in his Cabinet.
In my talk with President Trump, I expressed my gratitude for his nomination and conveyed my eagerness to gain the backing of my fellow senators.
The position of UN ambassador, currently occupied by Linda Thomas-Greenfield in the Biden Administration, plays a crucial role in fostering international collaboration and ensuring security. Stefanik's anticipated appointment arrives at a time when tensions persist in both the Middle East and Ukraine.
She said, "President Trump's significant victory has instilled hope in the American public and serves as a reminder that better times are on the horizon, both locally and internationally."
"America remains a guiding light for the world, yet we anticipate, and must insist, that our friends and allies stand as steadfast partners in the peace we aspire to achieve."
Stefanik, originally from upstate New York, has become the third official appointment in Trump’s new administration following his recent victory in securing a second term.
The Republican candidate crossed the crucial mark of 270 Electoral College votes early Wednesday morning by winning several key battleground states.
Trump has declared his intention to bring back Tom Homan, who served as the acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during his first term, taking on the role of “Border Czar.” He shared this news on Truth Social late Sunday night. Additionally, Susie Wiles, who previously co-chaired the Trump campaign, is expected to be named Trump’s chief of staff.
Unlike Homan and Wiles, Stefanik's appointment requires Senate approval.
The news comes just a day after Trump revealed that his former UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, will not be included in his upcoming administration.
"Who Is Elise Stefanik?"
At only 30 years old, Stefanik made history as the youngest woman to be elected to the House of Representatives when she won her seat in 2014. Although she was initially regarded as a moderate conservative, she has gradually moved further right and has become a strong supporter of Trump.
The fourth highest-ranking Republican in the House supported the GOP candidate during the 2016 election, even though he acknowledged that Trump’s inappropriate comments made in a 2005 chat with Billy Bush from Access Hollywood, which came to light just before the election, were "clearly unacceptable."
She openly expressed her disagreement with the president-elect's initial impeachment in 2019 and supported unfounded allegations regarding interference in the 2020 election, attempting to reverse the results.
In May 2021, Stefanik took over the position of GOP conference chair from Liz Cheney, who was known as one of Trump’s most outspoken Republican critics.
Stefanik's Views On The Ukraine-Russia War
Stefanik strongly condemned both President Joe Biden and Russia's "brutal, oppressive leader," Vladimir Putin, when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
"Vladimir Putin is a criminal involved in warfare and acts like a violent bully. We need to support democracies that are under threat," she stated in her announcement at that time.
Over two years later, the congresswoman was among the 112 Republicans who opposed the allocation of $60.8 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
"I can't back the use of billions in U.S. taxpayer money for non-lethal assistance while Joe Biden neglects to tackle the ongoing issues at our southern border," she expressed in a statement to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise in April.
Stefanik's Position On The Middle East
In a statement made in May, Stefanik referred to herself as a longstanding supporter and ally of Trump, emphasizing his significant backing for Israel's independence and safety.
She has consistently supported Israel's actions in response to the Hamas attacks on October 7 and has attracted significant national attention by asking Ivy League university leaders about the issue of antisemitism on their campuses.
In May, she traveled to Israel to address Jewish and Pro-Israel students at universities across the globe. She emphasized, “An American president should never hinder support for Israel.”
Stefanik has consistently labeled the UN as antisemitic due to its stance against Israel's military actions in Gaza. Last month, she demanded a thorough review of U.S. financial support for the United Nations.
“Fortunately, the Biden-Harris Administration's policy of supporting terrorists at the expense of our strong ally Israel is concluding,” she posted on X this past Sunday.
The Independent has reached out to representatives for both Trump and Stefanik to gather more details.
