After months of House Republicans struggling to find a majority for their legislative priorities, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has pulled Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning.”
“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,” he wrote.
Neither Stefanik nor the White House has responded to a request for comment.
For months, Stefanik has held off on resigning from her seat in Congress over the House GOP’s slim majority.
While there was always speculation that the White House would delay Stefanik taking the position until some special elections were decided, the decision to keep Stefanik in the House — for now — will have immediate implications for House Republican leadership.
In his announcement, Trump said Stefanik would “rejoin the House Leadership Team.”
Stefanik resigned from her spot as the No. 4 Republican in House GOP leadership when she was nominated, paving the way for Rep. Lisa McClain to win the Conference Chair position. McClain will not resign from her position, a person familiar with her thinking told NOTUS.
In a statement on X, Johnson praised Stefanik for agreeing to stay in the House despite her possible position in the administration.
“I will invite her to return to the leadership table immediately,” Johnson wrote.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced Stefanik’s nomination on Jan. 30, but a confirmation date was never set.
Trump allies are already beginning to float Richard Grenell, who serves as the Kennedy Center’s interim executive director, to replace Stefanik as the UN ambassador.
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Daniella Diaz , Ursula Perano and Reese Gorman are reporters at NOTUS.