Waltz's departure follows a sensitive communication blunder, raising questions about his Senate confirmation prospects for the UN post.
Trump Replaces Waltz with Rubio as National Security Adviser, Nominees Him for UN Role
Trump Replaces Waltz with Rubio as National Security Adviser, Nominees Him for UN Role
In a surprise move, Trump ousts Mike Waltz from his national security adviser role, appointing him to the UN while Rubio steps in temporarily.
In a significant reshuffle at the White House, President Donald Trump has dismissed Mike Waltz from his position as national security adviser, pivoting to nominate him as the ambassador to the United Nations. This announcement came alongside a social media post where Trump expressed gratitude for Waltz's service, stating he would be replaced temporarily by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will retain his position as the nation’s chief diplomat. Waltz's exit follows criticism over an incident where he inadvertently added a journalist to a confidential chat group that discussed sensitive military strategies, leading to concerns that may arise during his UN confirmation hearings.
Recognized for his service across military and political fronts, Waltz embraced the transition in a statement, expressing his honor in continuing to serve the President and the country. Sources indicate that Trump decided on Waltz's new role just hours before the public announcement, with insiders suggesting the decision stemmed from concerns regarding his ability to secure Senate confirmation after the chat incident.
Waltz had been under scrutiny since revealing that he mistakenly integrated Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, into a Signal messaging group that included top security officials. Discussions within this group reportedly covered confidential military plans relating to Yemen's Houthis. With Waltz's removal, questions linger over the future of his deputy, Alex Wong, who was also present in the Signal chat.
The diplomatic role of UN ambassador remains vacant, following Trump's previous nomination of Elise Stefanik being withdrawn due to party concerns about a slim majority in the House. Meanwhile, other candidates, including real estate developer Steve Witkoff and former special envoy Ric Grenell, are rumored to be in consideration for the position. As part of this transition, Rubio becomes the first individual since Henry Kissinger to concurrently hold both the national security adviser and secretary of state roles, emphasizing a significant reshaping of top-level national security and diplomacy in the Trump administration. Waltz's public acknowledgment of his continuing role was accompanied humorously by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who posted, “Mike Waltz has left the chat,” contributing to the evolving narrative surrounding this latest White House shake-up.
Recognized for his service across military and political fronts, Waltz embraced the transition in a statement, expressing his honor in continuing to serve the President and the country. Sources indicate that Trump decided on Waltz's new role just hours before the public announcement, with insiders suggesting the decision stemmed from concerns regarding his ability to secure Senate confirmation after the chat incident.
Waltz had been under scrutiny since revealing that he mistakenly integrated Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, into a Signal messaging group that included top security officials. Discussions within this group reportedly covered confidential military plans relating to Yemen's Houthis. With Waltz's removal, questions linger over the future of his deputy, Alex Wong, who was also present in the Signal chat.
The diplomatic role of UN ambassador remains vacant, following Trump's previous nomination of Elise Stefanik being withdrawn due to party concerns about a slim majority in the House. Meanwhile, other candidates, including real estate developer Steve Witkoff and former special envoy Ric Grenell, are rumored to be in consideration for the position. As part of this transition, Rubio becomes the first individual since Henry Kissinger to concurrently hold both the national security adviser and secretary of state roles, emphasizing a significant reshaping of top-level national security and diplomacy in the Trump administration. Waltz's public acknowledgment of his continuing role was accompanied humorously by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who posted, “Mike Waltz has left the chat,” contributing to the evolving narrative surrounding this latest White House shake-up.
