Move comes after months of delays, with unconfirmed New York Republican unable to participate in either US or House

Donald Trump announced Thursday that he was pulling US House representative Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be US ambassador to the United Nations, a stunning turnaround for his cabinet pick after her confirmation had been stalled over concerns about Republicans’ tight margins in the House.

Trump confirmed he was withdrawing the New York Republican’s nomination in a Truth Social post, saying that it was “essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress”.