Trump pulls Stefanik nomination for U.N. ambassador because of thin GOP House majority
President Trump on Thursday said he is withdrawing his nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be ambassador to the United Nations.
Stefanik’s nomination had been expected to easily clear the Senate — but Republicans are concerned about holding on to their thin majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans currently hold 218 seats and Democrats 213 seats. Four seats are currently vacant — two are considered safe GOP seats and two are considered safe Democratic seats. But off-year special elections can bring surprises.
“As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress,” Trump wrote in an announcement Thursday on Truth Social. He continued, “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.”
Before her nomination, Stefanik was the highest-ranking woman serving as a Republican in the House of Representatives. After the nomination, House Republicans elected Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain to succeed Stefanik as conference chair.
Trump said Stefanik would “rejoin the House Leadership Team,” but did not detail in what capacity. In a post on X, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would invite Stefanik “to return to the leadership table immediately,” but did not say more about her role.
Stefanik was a strong defender of Trump during his 2019 impeachment hearings — and also attracted attention for grilling college presidents during congressional hearings on antisemitism on college campuses.
In February, Johnson publicly acknowledged in remarks to the America First Policy Institute that he needed Stefanik to stay in the House to make sure he had enough votes to pass a budget resolution, although he did support her nomination for the cabinet position.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responded to Trump’s announcement by saying the decision to withdraw the nomination was an acknowledgement that Republicans would be vulnerable if there was a special election to replace Stefanik.
“The Republican agenda is extremely unpopular, they are crashing the economy in real time and House Republicans are running scared,” Jeffries said in a statement. “What happened to their so-called mandate?”
The National Guard has been deployed to enforce the law before. What’s different now?
The National Guard has been deployed many times historically. Experts say the president's decision to deploy the Guard as a blanket response to crime in D.C. is a departure from its intended mission.
Try this when your doctor says ‘yes’ to a preventive test but insurance says ‘no’
Health insurance wouldn't cover one child's hearing tests. Reporters with Health Care Helpline investigated and share this advice for what to do if preventive care gets denied.
Have a health care system headache? Share your story
The logistics of health care can be frustrating. If you have a bureaucratic horror story or need help with a tough question, reach out to Health Care Helpline from NPR and KFF Health News.
A ‘black moon’ will appear in the sky this weekend, but you won’t see it. Here’s why
A black moon is a type of new moon, when the moon is nearly between Earth and the sun.
Are ‘COVID kindergarteners’ ready for school?
More than 3.6 million children born in 2020 amid the COVID-19 global pandemic are walking into elementary schools across the country this fall.
African Union backs campaign to replace Mercator map that distorts Africa’s size
Organizers behind the Correct The Map campaign say the Mercator map's shrinking of Africa minimizes the continent's global influence — and is just plain inaccurate.