President-elect Donald Trump tapped Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) for key cabinet positions, the Trump transition team announced on Monday.
Stefanik was chosen as ambassador to the United Nations, taking over the role from Nikki Haley, who served in the role during Trump’s first administration.
Her appointment was first reported by CNN.
“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter,” Trump said in a statement Monday.
Stefanik said she was “truly honored” to be nominated by Trump.
“I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations,” she said in a statement.
Stefanik is a defender of Israel and has been outspoken about antisemitism on college campuses and a week before the Election, she called for the defunding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
Zeldin was chosen to be the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Lee will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” Trump said.
Zeldin is expected to help roll back many of the climate regulations set by the Biden administration. He is a climate change denier, opposing several environmental groups.
The 44-year-old former congressman also has ties to a Russian Oligarch, taking in over $100,000 in campaign contributions from the cousin of Viktor Vekselberg.
The New York Times reported Trump is exploring relocating the EPA’s headquarters to a location outside of Washington.
“It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator,” Zeldin wrote in response to the nomination. “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs.”
