Trump eying Elise Stefanik for UN post and why she may be a combative presence there

New York GOP Rep.Elise Stefanik is being eyed as President-elect Trump’s new ambassador to the United Nations.Stefanik, the powerful chair of the House Republican Conference, is known as a Trump favorite thanks to her aggressive defense of his policies.Trump is looking to kick Stefanik upstairs to the powerful diplomatic post in New York City, according to five people who spoke about the matter to Politico.

Reps for Stefanik declined to comment.A Stefanik departure from the House would force Gov.Hochul to schedule a special election within 90 days to fill her open upstate seat.

The district is ruby red and Stefanik’s replacement would almost certainly be a Republican that would not upset what is expected to be the party’s single-digit house majority.The GOP candidate would not be chosen in a primary, but by GOP county chairs — something which would further allow Stefanik to exert influence over the process.

If Stefanik does go to the United Nations, she would likely be a more combative presence at the body than Trump’s last ambassadors, Nikki Haley and Kelly Craft.The congresswoman is a sharp critic of the institution.After the United Nations floated the idea of expelling Israel over its defensive war in Gaza, Stefanik called for a “complete reassessment of U.S.

funding” to the organization.While in Congress, Stefanik has made a name for herself as a champion against antisemitism on college campuses....