Trump pulls Rep. Elise Stefanik's nomination to be US ambassador to UN amid tight GOP House majority

President Trump on Thursday pulled the nomination of GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, saving House Republicans from losing another member and cutting further into their already narrow majority.

The chamber makeup is now 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats. 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, whose panel holds nominee confirmation hearings for the post, said he got a call from the White House about the matter Thursday afternoon.

House Republicans have already lost two members to Trump nominations, after winning control of the lower chamber in November. 

Florida GOP Rep. Michael Waltz left to become national security adviser and fellow Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz resigned for the U.S. attorney general post, before withdrawing his nomination.

Stefanik resigning would immediately cost House Republicans a vote, and they risk losing her seat, and perhaps their majority in the 2026 midterm elections.

"With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat," Trump posted on social media. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled!"