Rep. Elise Stefanik framed President Trump’s surprising move to withdraw her nomination for United Nations ambassador as a strategic decision necessary for the greater Republican good that she is “proud” to be a part of.
“This is about stepping up as a team,” the New York Republican told Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany, who was hosting “Hannity” on Thursday, in her first public remarks since the president announced that her nomination would be withdrawn.
“I am doing that as a leader to ensure that we can take hold of this mandate and deliver these historic results,” Stefanik continued.
New York’s 21st Congressional District rep said she’s had “multiple conversations” with Trump about his decision and that she is “committed to delivering results on behalf of the American people.”
“I have been proud to be a team player. The president knows that.”
Stefanik, 40, breezed through her Senate confirmation hearing in January, and was all-but-guaranteed to be confirmed by the upper chamber — but her expected resignation from the House threatened progress on border, energy and tax legislation.
The congresswoman blamed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and “highly politicized radical left” Democrats for forcing Trump’s hand.
“The reality is as Democrats as we see in New York state it is totally corrupt,” Stefanik argued. “Kathy Hochul started threatening to move the ball on the election date and you see a highly, highly politicized radical left trying to do everything they can to defeat the president.”
New York Democrats had been scheming about rejiggering the rules for an upstate special election to fill Stefanik’s potential vacancy in the 21st Congressional District — before Gov. Kathy Hochul put the kibosh on it, sources familiar with the matter previously told The Post.
“So, it really came to a culmination today, but it was a combination of the New York corruption that we’re seeing under Kathy Hochul, special elections and the House margin,” Stefanik said, acknowledging that with the House’s narrow GOP majority “It’s tough to count these votes every day.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Trump both indicated that Stefanik would be offered a spot on the GOP House leadership team, though her former position as conference chair is currently being filled by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.).
The lawmaker wasn’t specific about what post she wanted to take up but said she plans to “continue speaking out.”
“The good news … is, because I am not pending confirmation, the American people will be hearing a lot more from me, because you’re limited in what you can say when you are pending confirmation,” she said.
Unlike other Republican pols tapped for the Trump administration, including former Florida GOP Rep. Mike Waltz, the current national security adviser, Stefanik had yet to resign from her seat.
Special elections will be held April 1 to replace Waltz and former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Republicans are expected to win both races, which will push their majority to 220-213 with Stefanik staying in the lower chamber.
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