In the first major staff shift of his second term, President Donald Trump has nominated National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, following controversy involving a leaked group chat on the Signal app.
In an announcement on Truth Social Thursday, Trump praised Waltz’s service both in the military and in Washington, saying, “Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role.”
Marco Rubio Steps In as Interim National Security Adviser
To fill Waltz’s vacated role, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily serve as National Security Adviser while continuing his leadership at the State Department. Trump described the decision as a continuation of his mission to “Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN.”
The appointment of Rubio, a former presidential candidate and seasoned senator, signals Trump’s trust in close allies with wide foreign policy experience. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the move “exciting but not surprising,” adding that Rubio is “a man who has worn several hats since day one.”
Why Waltz Is Leaving the NSC
Waltz’s exit comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a Signal group chat that reportedly included top national security officials discussing a U.S. military strike in Yemen. The discussion was thrust into the public eye when The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly added to the chat by Waltz.
Goldberg confirmed the incident in a March 24 article, which the National Security Council acknowledged was accurate. Though the details shared in the chat were not classified, the situation sparked criticism and speculation over Waltz’s future.
President Trump defended Waltz at the time, calling him a trusted adviser. However, the incident appears to have contributed to the reshuffling, with Waltz now moving to a Senate-confirmable post at the UN.
Elise Stefanik’s Nomination Pulled
The UN ambassador position had been open since Trump rescinded the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) last month. At the time, he said he wanted Stefanik to “rejoin the House Leadership Team.” Her removal paved the way for Waltz’s nomination.
Broader Shakeup at the National Security Council
Waltz’s departure also follows a wave of firings within the National Security Council earlier this month. Six senior officials were let go after political activist Laura Loomer, known for her ties to far-right conspiracy theories, reportedly shared a list of individuals she deemed untrustworthy with President Trump.
Those dismissed included:
- Brian Walsh, Senior Director of Intelligence
- Thomas Boodry, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and former aide to Waltz
- David Feith, Senior Director of Technology and National Security
While Trump downplayed Loomer’s influence, stating “she makes recommendations on things and people, and sometimes I listen,” the firings have sparked further discussion of internal power struggles.
Waltz’s Congressional Replacement
Waltz’s shift to the UN has already led to political consequences in his former district. State Senator Randy Fine (R) won a recent special election to fill the vacancy in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Despite a strong challenge from Democrat Josh Weil, Fine’s victory offered some relief for Republicans in what was a tighter-than-expected race.
Waltz’s nomination as UN Ambassador now heads to the Senate, where he will require confirmation. Meanwhile, Rubio is expected to juggle two high-profile roles, at least temporarily, as Trump continues to solidify his foreign policy team.
With questions still swirling about national security discipline within the administration and Trump relying increasingly on trusted loyalists, this could be just the beginning of further staffing shifts.