President-elect Donald Trump has offered Rep Elise Stefanik the position of next US ambassador to the UN, marking a significant shift in the diplomatic posting. The Republican congresswoman, who accepted the nomination, has established herself as one of Israel's most vocal supporters in Washington.
"I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump told the New York Post.
"I am truly honored to earn President Trump's nomination to serve in his Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations," Stefanik responded.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (Rep-NY) rips Harvard @Harvard President Claudine Gay for them allowing antisemitic harassment of Jewish students. Defund Harvard and make them return every penny of the $1.5 billion they receive from foreign entities pic.twitter.com/jBn68yW57x
— • ᗰISᑕᕼIᗴᖴ ™ • (@4Mischief) December 6, 2023
Stefanik's national profile rose sharply following her masterful interrogation of university presidents who faced criticism for their handling of antisemitism on campus. A steadfast ally of Trump, she has consistently advocated for stronger US-Israel relations.
.@EliseStefanik, you took care of the Ivy League officials coddling Hamas supporters on campus, now it's time to take care of the Hamas assets who have hijacked the UN. Like @FranceskAlbs. https://t.co/ZA878dOQga pic.twitter.com/CtFDZJsRzQ
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) November 11, 2024
During a watershed Congressional hearing in December 2023, as campus antisemitism surged in the wake of the Iron Swords War, Stefanik delivered a striking rebuke to presidents of elite universities. The hearing, which became a pivotal moment in the national conversation about antisemitism, saw Stefanik challenge the academic leaders over their refusal to categorically declare calls for Jewish genocide as violations of university policies. Her forceful questioning led to widespread calls for the presidents' resignations.
During her May visit to Israel, which included tours of communities targeted in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack and an address to the Knesset, Stefanik articulated her position in an interview with Israel Hayom: "Israel must have complete operational flexibility to eliminate Hamas," she declared. "This is a just war – it was Hamas that committed terrorist atrocities against the Israeli people. So this moral equivocation, this equivocation on policy from the Biden administration, there is no room for it."
"I'm here in Israel to send a message that the American people stand strongly with Israel to eradicate Hamas to protect Israel's right to exist to protect the national security of Israel."
