Stefanik Responds to Trump’s Withdrawal of Her Nomination

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is staying in Congress and for good reason. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he’s pulling her nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in order to secure her continued leadership in the House, where the GOP is working with an extremely slim majority.

Stefanik responded to the announcement with characteristic grace and clarity, emphasizing that this was about “stepping up as a team.” In an interview with Kayleigh McEnany on Fox News, Stefanik cited “New York corruption” in the state’s special election process and the House’s tight vote margin as the driving factors behind the decision.

“This is about stepping up as a team,” she said. “And I am doing that as a leader to ensure that we can take hold of this mandate and deliver these historic results.”

Trump echoed that sentiment on Truth Social, stating, “With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.” He added that while others could handle the UN role, Stefanik’s leadership in Congress is irreplaceable.

Here’s the reality:

• Republicans currently hold a razor-thin 218–213 edge in the House, with several seats still vacant. Even one unexpected loss could derail Trump’s legislative priorities.

• Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, was reportedly planning to stall the special election to replace Stefanik, potentially handing Democrats an edge.

• Two Republican seats are still up for grabs, with special elections set in Florida, leaving the GOP with no room for error.

Stefanik, who had already advanced through a Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote, was expected to face further delay thanks to Democrats slow-walking her nomination. But rather than waste time fighting leftist obstruction, Trump made a strategic call to protect the movement’s momentum in Washington.

Speaker Mike Johnson praised the decision and confirmed Stefanik would rejoin House GOP leadership. While her specific title hasn’t been announced, it’s clear her influence is only growing.

And with no confirmation process holding her back, Stefanik says she’s ready to be even more vocal.

“There’s good news,” she said. “The American people will be hearing a lot more from me.”

She specifically mentioned plans to hold elite universities accountable a nod to her hard-hitting approach during recent congressional hearings on campus antisemitism and to continue her work in national security.

This is what real leadership looks like: sacrificing personal advancement to serve the greater mission. Stefanik’s decision to stay in the trenches with her Republican colleagues will help solidify the America First agenda and keep the Biden administration in check.

Share this article if you support President Trump’s bold strategy to protect our House majority and keep proven fighters like Elise Stefanik where they’re needed most. Subscribe to our newsletter for more exclusive updates.