President Donald Trump removed Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as his nominee for United Nations Ambassador on Thursday, citing the need for her to remain in Congress, where the GOP holds a slim majority in the House.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York endorses Former President Donald J. Trump, 45th President ... More
Trump confirmed reports earlier Thursday that he was expected to pull the Stefanik nomination, writing on Truth Social “it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress, writing “I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.”
Stefanik is one of Trump’s most loyal supporters and the first high-ranking Republican congressional leader to endorse his second presidential bid at a time when the party had briefly soured on Trump after a bruising 2022 midterm election and his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
Trump said he looks “forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future,” calling her absolutely FANTASTIC.”
Republicans hold a five-seat majority in the House, 218-213, following the resignation of two GOP members, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. (before he was officially sworn into the 119th Congress) and former Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., who resigned to become Trump’s national security advisor.
This is a developing story and will be updated.