President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has decided to withdraw the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, as the ambassador to the United Nations. This decision comes as concerns grew among Republicans about maintaining their slim majority in the U.S. House.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump explained that he had asked Stefanik to remain in Congress to help further his legislative priorities, effectively ending her nomination to the prestigious diplomatic position. Trump cited the importance of retaining Stefanik’s congressional seat, as the Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House and cannot afford to risk losing any seats.
“With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat,” Trump stated. “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. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People.”
The House is currently controlled by Republicans with a slim margin of 218-213, leaving little room for error in majority votes, especially with four vacancies in the chamber. Two special elections in Florida next Tuesday will determine the replacements for former GOP Reps. Michael Waltz and Matt Gaetz. The outcome of these elections will be crucial, as both districts were won by Trump with large margins in 2024.
In a recent Pennsylvania state Senate special election, Democrat Dan Goughnour secured a victory in a district that Trump had won by 15 percentage points, showcasing Democratic enthusiasm in the face of Republican control in Washington.
Stefanik’s decision to remain in Congress spares House Republicans from defending another historically Republican district in an off-year election. Stefanik’s reelection victory in 2024, where she won by 24 percentage points against her Democratic opponent, underscores her popularity in her district.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Republican agenda as “extremely unpopular” and suggested that the withdrawal of Stefanik’s nomination reflects Republicans’ apprehension about the upcoming elections.
Stefanik’s career was in limbo since Trump nominated her for the U.N. ambassador role last November. Despite the delay in Senate confirmation, Stefanik continued to serve in the House, playing a crucial role in passing legislative measures to support Trump’s policy agenda.
In response to Trump’s decision, Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his intention to immediately welcome Stefanik back into the Republican leadership, praising her as a dedicated patriot and leader committed to advancing Trump’s vision in Congress.
Renowned Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted on March 27, 2025, about Elise Stefanik, a key House ally chosen by Donald Trump to be the next UN ambassador. Stefanik’s nomination faced uncertainty as discussions were held on whether the six-term lawmaker should withdraw. Trump, a close ally of Stefanik, selected her for the U.N. role shortly after his election in November. Recently, there have been talks among Republicans regarding her nomination. Stefanik, aged 40, had been preparing for her departure from her district, which covers a rural area including Glen Falls, Rome, the Adirondack Mountains, and the U.S.-Canadian border. Trump, aiming for reforms at the U.N., emphasized the need for improvement in his February statements. Since his return to office, Trump has ceased U.S. participation in the U.N. Human Rights Council, halted funding for UNRWA, and initiated reviews of UNESCO. Additionally, he announced plans to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization.
