3 days ago
8
US President Donald Trump revealed the reason for withdrawing Representative
Elise Stefanik
’s nomination as the next US ambassador to the United Nations.
He took this decision only to safeguard the
Republican majority
in the House. Trump acknowledged his party's risky position in Congress, admitting he “didn’t even want to take the chance” of losing Stefanik’s seat in New York’s 21st Congressional district, along with another vacancy in Florida.
“We have a few elections going on,” he said—just days after Stefanik had expressed excitement about the UN role on Fox News.
A senior White House official stressed the urgency of the decision, telling the New York Post, “Debt ceiling and reconciliation votes are going to be tough already due to Democrats and slim margins, and we can’t make it tougher on ourselves.” Debt ceiling and reconciliation votes are going to be tough already due to Democrats and slim margins, and we can’t make it tougher on ourselves. They added that Stefanik’s seat “would have been vacant for most of the year,” making it a risky move for the GOP.
“The American people need and deserve every Republican vote in the House to enact President Trump’s agenda,” the official continued. “We don’t have time to waste.”
The Republican-controlled House faces critical votes on major issues, including Trump’s proposed legislation on border security, energy, and taxation—bills that could pass with a simple majority.
Government spending measures, however, will likely face strong opposition from Democrats and could also test the unity of fiscal conservatives within the Republican ranks.
Stefanik’s appointment to UN
Stefanik, 40, was selected for the UN post in November and had even tweeted on Monday about her excitement to join Trump’s administration. However, speaking to Hannity on Thursday night, she insisted she had no regrets about the nomination being withdrawn.
“This is about stepping up as a team,” she said. “I am doing that as a leader to ensure that we can take hold of this mandate and deliver these historic results.”
Trump confirmed on Friday that he pulled her appointment due to the looming
special election
in her district, as well as the vacancy left by former Florida representative Mike Waltz, who was recently appointed as Trump’s national security adviser.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul had also faced hurdles in scheduling a special election for Stefanik’s seat, after clashing with Trump over congestion pricing.
Despite his decision, Trump reaffirmed Stefanik’s strong standing in her district, stating, “She’s popular in her district and can’t be beaten.” However, he admitted he was less confident about securing a solid Republican replacement.
Fundraising concerns in Florida
Another key factor in Trump’s decision was the race to replace Waltz in Florida. Republican candidate Randy Fine is struggling to keep up with Democrat Josh Weil in fundraising, with Weil reportedly securing nearly $9 million in campaign donations compared to Fine’s $987,459, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
“You never know what happens in a case like that,” Trump said, expressing concerns over the competitiveness of the race.
Trump also acknowledged that Stefanik had done him “a big favour” by remaining in Congress, and house speaker Mike Johnson has promised her a leadership position within the party. However, it remains unclear what that role will be.
Republican frustrations over the decision
While some GOP sources supported Trump’s caution, others were left disappointed by the move, arguing that Stefanik was highly qualified and Republicans had a strong chance of retaining her seat.
“It plays into the Dem narrative that you’d lose these seats,” one Republican insider said. “It makes everyone look stupid.”
Another insider said, “Pulling Stefanik doesn’t make sense.”
Trump has yet to announce who will now be nominated for the UN role. Meanwhile, the contests for Waltz’s and former representative Matt Gaetz’s seats in Florida will take place on Tuesday. Gaetz had resigned from Congress after briefly being considered for US attorney general.
Shrinking majority
House speaker Mike Johnson had previously cautioned Trump about the party’s fragile position in the House. At an event with Americans for Prosperity, Johnson recalled a conversation during the White House transition in which he urged Trump to reconsider pulling too many House Republicans into his administration.
“Trump began to call the herd,” Johnson said. “So he took a few, and I called him, and I’m like, ‘Mr President, you cannot take any more.’”
Johnson said Trump responded, “Oh, Mike, did I do that?”
With a slim 218-213 majority over Democrats, the GOP faces an uphill battle in maintaining control of the House.
