President-elect Donald Trump on Monday nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Conference, to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in his upcoming administration.
“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter,” Trump said in a statement quoted by the New York Post.
Stefanik confirmed in a statement that she has accepted the role.
“I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” she said.
“During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate,” she continued.
Stefanik told the Post that “President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead—both at home and abroad,” adding that “America continues to be the beacon of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek.”
CNN reported on Sunday that Trump had offered the role to Stefanik, prompting a series of congratulatory statements.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) wrote that she “will take the United Nations by storm, take on the anti-U.S. and Israel bigotry, combat Jew-hatred and hold adversaries to account.”
“Elise will be a strong voice advancing U.S. foreign policy and helping to reestablish America’s leading role in the world,” Lawler added.
Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, wrote that the congresswoman, who is “a big proponent of maximum pressure on Iran’s regime,” will be “an excellent U.N. ambassador.
“Screams and cries being reported all over Turtle Bay [where the U.N. Headquarters is located],” wrote Richard Goldberg, senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
“A great choice,” wrote David Friedman, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel.
Earlier on Sunday, Stefanik wrote that it was “day 400.”
“It has been 400 days since Hamas terrorists abducted innocent civilians during the barbaric Oct. 7 attack in Israel,” she wrote. “There are over 100 still being held hostage in Gaza, including seven Americans. We must bring them home now.”
The congresswoman has been one of the most vocal members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in its efforts to investigate American universities for failing to protect Jews on campus.
Trump also announced on Monday that Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as “border czar.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s Republican party is getting closer to securing full control of the U.S. Congress after already wresting control of the Senate from the Democrats in last week’s elections. The GOP needs just a handful of House seats to get to the 218 majority. The Republicans are at 215 versus 210 for the Democrats with several races that have yet to be called. It takes 218 congressman to have a majority in the House of Representatives.