Trump Appoints Tom Homan As Border Czar, Offers UN Ambassador Role To Elise Stefanik

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday the appointment of Tom Homan, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leader, as the new “border czar” for his upcoming administration. Homan, a vocal advocate of Trump’s immigration policies, will oversee U.S. security across both the Southern and Northern borders, along with maritime and aviation sectors.

A prominent figure in conservative circles, Homan directed ICE during the early part of Trump’s first term, consistently supporting the former president’s approach to immigration enforcement. In a Truth Social post, Trump expressed confidence in Homan’s capabilities, saying, “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders.” Homan’s responsibilities will include the deportation of immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Trump has committed to ending automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to immigrants residing illegally, pledging to issue an executive order to this effect on his first day in office. Additionally, Trump plans to resume construction on the border wall, a project halted by the Biden administration and may reintroduce the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum-seekers to stay in Mexico while awaiting U.S. immigration hearings. Trump’s campaign platform included a pledge of “mass deportations,” which he could initiate by declaring a national emergency at the border, potentially allowing the use of military resources for detentions and deportations.

In a separate key appointment, Trump has reportedly offered the position of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to Representative Elise Stefanik, who has accepted the role. In a statement to the New York Post, Trump called her a “strong, tough, and smart America First fighter,” praising her leadership and commitment.

Stefanik, who is currently the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House, has been a close ally of Trump, recently appearing with him at a rally in Madison Square Garden. Accepting the position previously held by former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Stefanik expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.”

The news of Stefanik becoming Trump’s first cabinet pick was reported by NBC:

Stefanik, 40, has been a staunch defender of Israel in its response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks and has been outspoken over the last year about antisemitism on college campuses. A day before last week’s election, Stefanik reiterated her call for the defunding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East because she alleges it has been infiltrated by Hamas.

Israel has accused staff members of the organization of participating in the Oct. 7 terror attacks, prompting it to fire at least 10 people. Israel’s parliament voted in late October to ban the organization’s operations.

Stefanik has served as the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference since May 2021, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., was ousted over her vocal criticism of Trump. Stefanik has served in the House since 2015 and represents New York’s 21st Congressional District, which covers upstate New York, bordering Vermont and Canada.

Any appointments by Trump that lead to vacancies in the House could prove problematic for House Republicans. While they could maintain control of the lower chamber, an election outcome that NBC News has not yet called, their margin will be slim, and they struggled throughout the last Congress to maintain effective control of the body with few votes to spare.

Regardless, the appointments of Homan and Stefanik underscore Trump’s commitment to advancing his immigration and foreign policy priorities, reinforcing his familiar “America First” approach to governance.

READ NEXT: Yale Psychiatrist Urges Democrats To Break Ties With Trump-Voting Family Members Ahead Of Holidays