Stefanik Aims To Restore ‘America First Peace Through Strength’ As Trump’s U.N. Ambassador

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) pledged to uphold President-elect Donald Trump‘s foreign policy of “America First peace through strength leadership” after he selected the congresswoman on Monday to serve as his U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Less than a week after winning a second term in the White House, Trump has quickly begun to put together a team for his Cabinet. Stefanik, who just won a sixth term and currently holds the House Republican Conference chair position, was one of his first picks, along with former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) to lead the EPA.

My statement on accepting President Donald J. Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as Ambassador to the United Nations:

I am truly honored to earn President Trump's nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with…

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 11, 2024

In a statement, Stefanik said she was “truly honored” to be picked, adding, “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 declared “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. 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.”

If confirmed by the Senate — or installed via recess appointment — Stefanik would take on the role held by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who has served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under the Biden administration since being confirmed by the Senate in early 2021.

“The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries,” Stefanik said. “I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations.”

Much of the rest of Stefanik’s statement focused on being a member of Congress for the past decade, including becoming the youngest woman elected to Congress at the time in 2014, and representing New York’s 21st Congressional District.

“My family and I are excited for this next chapter in New York and Washington to work hard to serve our country on President Donald Trump’s team,” Stefanik said. “No matter where this journey takes us, Upstate New York — the cradle of the American Revolution v will always be my heart and home.”

Trump also released a statement, announcing that he was nominating Stefanik to be his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter. She graduated from Harvard University, with honors, was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, and is the highest ranking woman in Congress, as the House Republican Conference Chair,” he said.

Stefanik “was the first Member of Congress to endorse me, and has always been a staunch advocate,” Trump added. “Elise is a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and led the charge against antisemitism on college campuses. She will be an incredible Ambassador to the United Nations, delivering Peace through Strength and America First National Security policies!”