Trump pulls Stefanik’s nomination for U.N. post to keep her in House, buttress GOP majority

President Trump on Thursday asked Rep. Elise Stefanik to stay in the House instead of moving forward with her nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Mr. Trump said on social media that “it is essential” to maintain every Republican seat in Congress and that Ms. Stefanik will needed to help pass his agenda.

“With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat,” he wrote. “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.”

Ms. Stefanik won reelection to New York’s 21st Congressional District by 24 points, and Mr. Trump carried it by 21 points. The upstate New York district, situated just northeast of Syracuse, borders Canada and could face impacts from some of the president’s tariff policies.  

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, said the president withdrew Ms. Stefanik’s nomination “because the extremists are afraid they will lose the special election to replace her.” 

“The Republican agenda is extremely unpopular, they are crashing the economy in real time, and House Republicans are running scared,” he said. “What happened to their so-called mandate?”

The president called Ms. Stefanik, New York Republican, one of his biggest allies and said she would rejoin the House GOP leadership team.

Ms. Stefanik had previously served as chair of the Republican Conference, a position now held by Rep. Lisa McClain, Michigan Republican. Ms. McClain does not plan to resign from the position, according to a source familiar with her plans.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said in a statement that he would “immediately” invite Ms. Stefanik back to the House GOP leadership table but did not say in what capacity. He may need to create an appointed role for her, as all the elected leadership positions are filled.

The speaker called Ms. Stefanik’s decision “selfless” and said it showed her commitment to passing Mr. Trump’s agenda in Congress. 

“It is well known Republicans have a razor-thin House majority, and Elise’s agreement to withdraw her nomination will allow us to keep one of the toughest, most resolute members of our Conference in place to help drive forward President Trump’s America First policies,” he said.

CBS News first reported that Ms. Stefanik’s nomination was in jeopardy as pressure mounted for her stay in the House, with discussions taking place on Thursday about whether she should withdraw.

A New York GOP official told The Washington Times that the issue has been lurking in the background for months.

House Republicans currently have 218 seats to Democrats’ 213, which gives them a two-vote cushion on straight party-line votes.

There are four vacancies, two from each party. Republicans are hoping to win a pair of special elections on April 1 in Florida to fill two traditionally red seats. The Florida vacancies are from former Reps. Michael Waltz, who resigned to become President Trump’s national security adviser, and Matt Gaetz, who was briefly nominated to serve as attorney general but withdrew his name from contention amid a lack of support in the Senate.

Mr. Jeffries said Republicans “seem to be panicking about the two special elections in Florida, which shocks the conscience of anybody who follows these races closely.”

Mr. Trump won Florida’s 1st and 6th Congressional Districts by 30 points and 37 points, respectively. 

“How is it that they are even competitive at this point? Why are Republicans panicking in deep red districts?” Mr. Jeffries said. “It’s because their agenda is unpopular. They are completely and totally out of control.” 

Ms. Stefanik would have had enough support among Senate Republicans, and potentially some Democrats as well, to be confirmed as ambassador to the U.N.

The Senate Foreign Relations approved her nomination by voice vote in January. She had bipartisan support, although a few Democrats registered their opposition.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, South Dakota Republican, said Ms. Stefanik would have made a great U.N. ambassador and he was not party to the discussions about her withdrawing from the post. 

“This is a decision that I assume was made in consultation with the White House, between her and the White House,” he said. “I think there’s some political realities that they’re grappling with in the House right now, and every vote counts.”

Mr. Trump suggested he could tap Ms. Stefanik for a future administration role, but said in the interim that “Speaker Johnson is thrilled” to have her remain in the House.

“I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future,” the president said. “She is absolutely FANTASTIC. Thank you Elise!”

• Alex Miller, Kerry Picket and Mallory Wilson contributed to this story.