Elise Stefanik was a key defender of then-President Donald Trump during his impeachment proceedings and she later grilled university presidents over antisemitism.

Donald Trump's nominee to represent Washington at the United Nations railed against "anti-Semitic rot" in the global organization as she was grilled by senators at her confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

Rep. Elise Stefanik opened her confirmation hearing Tuesday for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations by pledging to implement President Donald Trump’s “America First” mandate and roll out a review of U.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen questioned President Donald Trump's nominee for U.N. ambassador, Elise Stefanik, during her confirmation hearing Tuesday.

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Tuesday marks President Donald Trump's first full day in office. Keep up with the USA TODAY Network's coverage of his top priorities for Americans.

U.S. President Donald Trump "sees great promise in the United Nations if it focuses on its founding mission of international peace and security," his nominee to be ambassador told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

One day after voting to approved one of the first cabinet nominees of President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito introduced Trump’s nominee to represent the U.S. at the United Nations to the committee considering her nomination.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., walks with her son after casting her vote for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., as the House of Representatives meets to elect a speaker and convene the new 119th Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“No. Elon Musk did not do those salutes,” Stefanik replied. She said that while she was not at the inaugural rally where Musk made the move, she had been to “many” rallies with him and knows he likes to make cheerful gestures. She said it was “simply not the case” that Musk did a Nazi salute.