New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has accepted President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, according to a statement released to The New York Post.

Stefanik, 40, a staunch Trump ally and prominent Republican from upstate New York, will lead Trump’s “America First” agenda at the UN, emphasizing pro-Israel policies and strengthening alliances.

🚨 #BREAKING: Rep. Elise Stefanik has ACCEPTED Trump’s offer for US Ambassador to the United Nations, per NYP

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“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 on Sunday night.

Stefanik, currently the No. 4 Republican in the House, has been a visible and vocal supporter of Trump.

In 2020, she served on Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial, countering what she termed as attacks from the “Biden Crime Family” and supporting Trump’s stance on Ukraine.

A Harvard graduate, Stefanik has built her profile through her persistent criticism of progressive ideologies and her media presence in defense of Republican policies.

Stefanik confirmed her acceptance of the role, saying, “I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.”

She continued, “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.”

This nomination marks one of the first key staffing decisions from Trump following his successful campaign against Kamala Harris.

Trump previously announced that Susie Wiles, his campaign chairwoman, would serve as White House Chief of Staff, though other Cabinet appointments are still pending.

🇺🇸 Susie Summerall Wiles, The White House Chief of Staff

In 2024, she served as the campaign manager and was a senior advisor for the Trump campaign in 2020, where she advocated for outreach efforts aimed at engaging minority communities, particularly within Black America. pic.twitter.com/HSynt6l1Ct

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Stefanik’s appointment to the UN comes at a time when the organization has faced criticism from conservative leaders.

The UN has drawn controversy over the participation of authoritarian regimes, such as China and Cuba, on the Human Rights Council, and its repeated condemnation of Israel through General Assembly resolutions.

Additionally, the UN has been criticized for its response to recent Israel-Hamas hostilities, with allegations that certain UN-affiliated individuals may have indirectly supported Hamas.

In a statement, Stefanik underscored the importance of this role in restoring U.S. leadership on the global stage, stating, “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.”

She affirmed her commitment to promoting Trump’s foreign policy goals, pledging to uphold “America First peace through strength” on her first day at the United Nations.

Stefanik’s appointment could impact the Republican majority in the House, where the GOP holds a slim margin.

Her departure will trigger a special election for New York’s 21st Congressional District.

Under New York law, Governor Kathy Hochul is required to announce a special election within 10 days of the seat becoming vacant, and the election itself must be held within 70 to 80 days following that announcement.

Local GOP leaders, rather than a primary vote, will select the Republican nominee for this district, which Stefanik won on November 7 with over 63% of the vote.

A source close to the campaign suggested the district is strongly Republican, describing it as “ruby red” and “pro-Trump,” implying the seat is expected to remain in GOP hands.

Stefanik’s appointment signifies a shift in U.S. diplomacy at the United Nations, with a focus on advocating for U.S. allies and prioritizing national interests on the international stage.