Muslim American Group Responds as Trump Nominates Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador!
A prominent Muslim advocacy group has reacted to President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of New York Representative Elise Stefanik as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
In a statement to the New York Post, Trump expressed his admiration for Stefanik, highlighting her as a strong and capable leader. “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” Trump said on Sunday night. He praised Stefanik’s dedication to the “America First” agenda, calling her a “strong, tough, and smart” leader in line with his vision.
Stefanik, who currently serves as the House Republican Conference Chair, has been a long-standing ally of Trump in the House. She has been known for her vocal support and defence of his policies, especially in her questioning of university presidents about antisemitism on campuses.
This event took place during a period of high tension related to protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, following a tragic October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants.
After Trump announced his decision, Stefanik expressed gratitude for the nomination, saying she felt “truly honored.” She stated her commitment to working hard to earn the support of her Senate colleagues and to uphold the responsibilities of the role. Trump and Stefanik were both contacted for further comments via email.
Following the announcement, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Deputy Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), stated that CAIR would like to see Trump appoint foreign policy officials who prioritize American interests over those of any other nation.
He stressed the importance of nominating officials who support free speech and human rights and focus on American priorities rather than those of foreign leaders.
Mitchell’s statement also addressed concerns about policies that could involve the U.S. in international conflicts. He pointed out that CAIR welcomes Trump’s decision to avoid nominating previous foreign policy leaders Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, referring to them as “war hawks.” Haley previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN during Trump’s first term, and Pompeo was his Secretary of State.
Trump himself commented on his social media platform, Truth Social, last week, saying he does not plan to involve Haley or Pompeo in his administration this time around.
The backdrop to Trump’s decision is a complex political environment, with tensions running high between Arab American and Muslim groups and the outgoing Biden administration, mainly due to Biden’s continued support for Israel in the conflict in Gaza.
During his campaign, Trump criticized Biden’s approach, suggesting that he would handle the situation differently, allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “finish the job” in Gaza if he were to return to office.
Netanyahu has expressed his approval of Trump’s stance. On Sunday, Netanyahu stated that he and Trump had communicated three times recently and shared a strong agreement on the challenges posed by Iran. He affirmed that they have aligned views on how to address these threats.
The ongoing violence in Gaza escalated sharply after an October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants, resulting in significant loss of life and hostages being taken. According to Israeli authorities, the attack led to around 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 hostages taken.
Since then, Israel’s response has intensified, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 43,000 Palestinian casualties. The conflict has drawn attention worldwide, contributing to further instability in the region and spurring violent clashes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran.