Washington: President Donald Trump has removed National Security Advisor Mike Waltz from his position at the White House and nominated him to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social account, stating that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also assume the role of acting National Security Advisor in addition to his current duties.
"From the battlefield in uniform to Congress and now as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked tirelessly to prioritize America's interests," Trump wrote. "I know he will do the same in his new role."
Waltz also shared a screenshot of Trump’s post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "Deeply honored to continue serving President Trump and our great nation."
Prior to this announcement, several U.S. media outlets had reported rumors suggesting Waltz was planning to resign. CBS News and Reuters confirmed that Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wang, is also stepping down.
Mike Waltz had recently come under intense criticism after mistakenly including a journalist in a secure chat group used to coordinate U.S. strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Trump administration later downplayed the significance of the information shared in the group.
Waltz, a former Florida congressman and military veteran, previously served in Afghanistan under President George W. Bush and was a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
His departure makes him the highest-ranking official to leave the White House in Trump’s second term.
The role of National Security Advisor is considered crucial in shaping responses to international crises and threats, including issues involving Ukraine, the Israel-Gaza conflict, and Iran’s nuclear program.
When Trump appointed Waltz to the post, he praised him as an expert on threats from China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism.
Speculation is growing in Washington that Trump may nominate Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer and longtime ally, as Waltz’s replacement. Another potential candidate is Ric Grenell, a seasoned diplomat and Trump loyalist.
It is noteworthy that during Trump’s first term, he replaced four National Security Advisors, including Michael Flynn, who served for only three weeks, and John Bolton, who later authored a critical book about his time in the administration.
