Trump selects Waltz as nominee for UN ambassador
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take on two roles, also functioning as the national security adviser during this interim period.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Mike Waltz as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, just hours after reports surfaced regarding the ousting of the national security adviser from his current position.
Waltz’s transition from his current post to ambassador follows a challenging period marked by the leaked Signal chat scandal.
“From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” Trump stated.
Previously, Trump had nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik for the ambassador role but withdrew her nomination in March.
Until a new national security adviser is appointed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will assume both roles, Trump added.
The president had previously retracted Stefanik’s nomination due to concerns about the slim GOP majority in the House, noting at the time, “I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.”
Waltz is among three House members that Trump has included in his Cabinet as he readies for his second term. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, also from Florida, withdrew from consideration for attorney general amid doubts about his confirmation, resigning from his House seat in the process.
Rubio is set to take on the dual role of national security adviser, following in the footsteps of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who was the last to serve both as head of the State Department and as national security adviser. Trump referred to Rubio as “unbelievable” during remarks made in the Rose Garden on Thursday, a sign of his growing confidence in the secretary.
“When I have a problem I call up Marco, he gets it solved. He gets it solved,” Trump remarked on Thursday.
The announcement regarding Waltz's nomination was so unexpected that State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce learned of the change during her scheduled press briefing on Thursday. “I just heard this from you,” Bruce replied when asked about Waltz’s new assignment.
Waltz’s role as national security adviser placed him at the center of the Trump administration’s foreign and domestic security strategies, but that high-profile position did not require Senate confirmation.
As future U.N. ambassador, Waltz will face the Senate for the first time and will likely undergo questioning regarding various controversies, including Signalgate, from his brief tenure as a key adviser.
Reporting from The Atlantic in March highlighted how Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a group chat where senior officials were discussing military strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen. It was suggested by both former and current officials that the information shared in that now-infamous group chat was likely classified, although the administration has publicly maintained otherwise.
Democrats have criticized Waltz for his involvement in Signalgate and expressed their approval upon hearing of his impending removal from the national security position. Nevertheless, Trump has vocally supported Waltz, defending him amidst inquiries about his suitability for the new role.
Despite the criticism, many Senate Republicans have expressed respect and trust for Waltz, implying that he has significant support among GOP senators and may not face substantial hurdles during the confirmation process.
“As National Security Advisor, he has provided President Trump with sound advice and has a clear-eyed view of the world, both regarding our friends and our adversaries,” Sen. Lindsey Graham posted on social media shortly after Trump’s announcement. “Mike understands America First and will be a strong voice at the UN representing our interests.”
The U.N. ambassadorship has historically been a prestigious diplomatic role, allowing its holder to engage directly with U.S. adversaries at a prominent global forum. Previous ambassadors have advanced to national security adviser and secretary of State positions. The U.N. ambassador also benefits from a luxurious Manhattan apartment owned by the U.S. government.
However, Waltz may not retain a Cabinet position. The decision to classify the ambassadorship as a Cabinet-level role rests with the president, and Trump’s announcement did not clarify whether Waltz will have that status. Stefanik would have been designated a Cabinet member had she been confirmed by the Senate.
Waltz’s departure from the national security role marks the first senior-level exit of Trump's second administration. Additionally, Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong is also anticipated to leave his post, as reported by PMG on Thursday.
Trump’s national security council has undergone several changes since the beginning of the second administration. Activists like Laura Loomer have called for the dismissal of multiple top officials and national security council members, including former National Security Agency Director Gen. Tim Haugh.
“I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation,” Waltz expressed on X following the announcement.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
Waltz’s transition from his current post to ambassador follows a challenging period marked by the leaked Signal chat scandal.
“From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” Trump stated.
Previously, Trump had nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik for the ambassador role but withdrew her nomination in March.
Until a new national security adviser is appointed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will assume both roles, Trump added.
The president had previously retracted Stefanik’s nomination due to concerns about the slim GOP majority in the House, noting at the time, “I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.”
Waltz is among three House members that Trump has included in his Cabinet as he readies for his second term. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, also from Florida, withdrew from consideration for attorney general amid doubts about his confirmation, resigning from his House seat in the process.
Rubio is set to take on the dual role of national security adviser, following in the footsteps of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who was the last to serve both as head of the State Department and as national security adviser. Trump referred to Rubio as “unbelievable” during remarks made in the Rose Garden on Thursday, a sign of his growing confidence in the secretary.
“When I have a problem I call up Marco, he gets it solved. He gets it solved,” Trump remarked on Thursday.
The announcement regarding Waltz's nomination was so unexpected that State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce learned of the change during her scheduled press briefing on Thursday. “I just heard this from you,” Bruce replied when asked about Waltz’s new assignment.
Waltz’s role as national security adviser placed him at the center of the Trump administration’s foreign and domestic security strategies, but that high-profile position did not require Senate confirmation.
As future U.N. ambassador, Waltz will face the Senate for the first time and will likely undergo questioning regarding various controversies, including Signalgate, from his brief tenure as a key adviser.
Reporting from The Atlantic in March highlighted how Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a group chat where senior officials were discussing military strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen. It was suggested by both former and current officials that the information shared in that now-infamous group chat was likely classified, although the administration has publicly maintained otherwise.
Democrats have criticized Waltz for his involvement in Signalgate and expressed their approval upon hearing of his impending removal from the national security position. Nevertheless, Trump has vocally supported Waltz, defending him amidst inquiries about his suitability for the new role.
Despite the criticism, many Senate Republicans have expressed respect and trust for Waltz, implying that he has significant support among GOP senators and may not face substantial hurdles during the confirmation process.
“As National Security Advisor, he has provided President Trump with sound advice and has a clear-eyed view of the world, both regarding our friends and our adversaries,” Sen. Lindsey Graham posted on social media shortly after Trump’s announcement. “Mike understands America First and will be a strong voice at the UN representing our interests.”
The U.N. ambassadorship has historically been a prestigious diplomatic role, allowing its holder to engage directly with U.S. adversaries at a prominent global forum. Previous ambassadors have advanced to national security adviser and secretary of State positions. The U.N. ambassador also benefits from a luxurious Manhattan apartment owned by the U.S. government.
However, Waltz may not retain a Cabinet position. The decision to classify the ambassadorship as a Cabinet-level role rests with the president, and Trump’s announcement did not clarify whether Waltz will have that status. Stefanik would have been designated a Cabinet member had she been confirmed by the Senate.
Waltz’s departure from the national security role marks the first senior-level exit of Trump's second administration. Additionally, Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong is also anticipated to leave his post, as reported by PMG on Thursday.
Trump’s national security council has undergone several changes since the beginning of the second administration. Activists like Laura Loomer have called for the dismissal of multiple top officials and national security council members, including former National Security Agency Director Gen. Tim Haugh.
“I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation,” Waltz expressed on X following the announcement.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
