Trump Picks Rep. Elise Stefanik To Be UN Ambassador

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen House Republican Conference leader Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as both confirmed in statements.

“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 to the New York Post.

Stefanik, in her own statement to the Post, expressed gratitude: “I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination... 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. 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.”

As the fourth-ranking Republican in the House, Stefanik frequently appears on television to support GOP perspectives on issues such as Israel and her criticisms of the “Biden Crime Family.” By contrast, the current U.N. Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has kept a lower media profile during her tenure.

Recently reelected to her sixth House term, Stefanik made headlines for challenging Ivy League university presidents over an increase in antisemitism on campuses following the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.

“The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership... 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,” Stefanik said.

In a related announcement, Trump appointed former ICE chief Thomas Homan, known for his tough immigration stance, as “border czar.”

“​​I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that Homan will oversee “the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security” as well as the southern border with Mexico.

Trump has consistently prioritized border security, emphasizing it as a key campaign issue in both 2020 and 2024. Under the Biden administration, border encounters reportedly rose to around 3 million in fiscal year 2024, totaling about 10.8 million since 2021, according to Homeland Security data.

During his campaign, Trump highlighted his plans for stringent border policies, with Homan stating that deportations would be “a humane operation.” Homan explained on Fox News that this approach would be “a well-targeted, planned operation” carried out by ICE personnel, whom he praised for their skill and professionalism.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has voiced concerns about illegal immigration, claiming that it introduces gangs, drugs, and human trafficking into the U.S., describing immigrants as “rough people” who, in many cases, come “from jails, prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums.”