House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is being considered for a role in the new Trump administration, possibly as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik was the first congressional leader to endorse President-elect Trump’s third White House campaign in November 2022. She is highly regarded as a potential candidate for the UN ambassadorship, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Republicans are optimistic about maintaining the House majority after election victories in the Senate and White House, but close races in California, Arizona, Alaska, and Oregon will determine the outcome.
Stefanik’s qualifications for the UN ambassador role include her expertise in foreign affairs as a senior member of the House permanent select committee on Intelligence and the House Armed Services Committee. She has been a strong advocate for Israel and a close ally of President Trump, having participated in various rallies and events for him during the campaign. Stefanik recently announced her intention to run for her current leadership position as chair of the House GOP conference. Another potential candidate for a Trump administration role is retired Green Beret Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., who may be considered for Defense Secretary.
The selection of House members like Stefanik and Waltz for roles in the Trump administration will be contingent on the outcome of closely contested House races. While Republicans are confident about maintaining the majority, the margin is expected to be close and the replacement of a House member could take several weeks. The GOP leadership is eager to use their congressional majorities to advance Trump’s agenda without delay. It is unclear who else is being considered for the UN ambassador role, but the previous ambassador, Nikki Haley, had initially run against President-elect Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Stefanik’s office did not respond to requests for comment, but a transition spokeswoman for Trump-Vance indicated that decisions regarding appointments to the second Trump administration would be made soon. Waltz, who has a background in the military and has served on committees related to defense and intelligence, is being considered for the role of Defense Secretary. His experience as a CEO of a defense contractor and advisor to former Defense Secretaries Robert Gates and Donald Rumsfeld gives him a strong foundation for such a position. However, Trump is also looking at candidates from the private sector and elsewhere for potential appointments.
The consolidation of power within the House GOP leadership, including Stefanik’s reelection as House GOP conference chair, reflects the party’s confidence in maintaining the majority. Stefanik’s track record in supporting Israel and being a key ally of President Trump makes her a strong candidate for a role in the Trump administration. The looming standoff in Congress before Trump’s return to the White House adds urgency to the need for swift decision-making on appointments. As the transition period unfolds, more details about the possible candidates for key roles in the Trump administration are expected to emerge.
