Senate confirmation of Mike Waltz as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations marks a significant step for President Donald Trump's administration. After months of delays, Waltz fills the last vacant spot in Trump's Cabinet with a bipartisan vote on Friday.
According to PBS NewsHour, Waltz's journey to this role has been anything but smooth. His brief stint as national security adviser ended abruptly in May after he accidentally included a journalist in a private Signal chat discussing sensitive military plans, leading to his ouster and an ongoing Pentagon inspector general investigation.
Despite Waltz denying any removal and claiming the chat adhered to cybersecurity standards, the incident raised eyebrows. Critics question whether such a misstep signals deeper issues with judgment, especially for a role requiring diplomatic finesse at the UN.
Trump nominated Waltz for the UN post in May after the withdrawal of Rep. Elise Stefanik, whose candidacy had faltered over concerns about the Republican House majority. The delay in confirming Waltz puzzled many, especially since his nomination cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month with support from both parties.
A recent procedural snag sent his nomination back to the committee for another vote on Wednesday, further stalling progress. Democrats also objected to a separate measure designating Waltz as a General Assembly representative, leaving uncertainty about his participation in the upcoming UN gathering in New York.
A Democratic congressional aide criticized the administration for showing "no urgency" in pushing Waltz's confirmation before the General Assembly, which begins Tuesday with Trump among the early speakers. Such foot-dragging hardly inspires confidence in a government that claims to prioritize swift action on global stages.
Waltz's brief tenure as national security adviser remains a point of contention, with the Signal chat blunder casting a shadow over his readiness for high-stakes diplomacy. The Pentagon's investigation into the incident adds another layer of scrutiny as he steps into a role demanding airtight discretion.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Waltz aligned himself with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the need for major reforms at the 80-year-old UN. He told senators, "We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk," but argued the organization has "drifted from its core mission of peacemaking."
While his vision for a forum uniting China, Russia, Europe, and the developing world sounds noble, one wonders if his track record of mishandling sensitive communications will undermine trust with those very nations. Reform is a tall order when personal missteps invite skepticism before the first handshake.
Waltz steps into his new role at a turbulent time for the UN, still reeling from Trump's decision this year to slash foreign assistance funding. This cut has severely impacted the organization's humanitarian aid agencies, with hints of further reductions to the UN's annual budget on the horizon.
His arrival coincides with the urgent need to address these financial blows while navigating complex global conflicts under the UN umbrella. The U.S. pulling back on funding sends a message of disengagement, and Waltz will need to balance Trump's America-first stance with the diplomatic dance of international cooperation.
Some might argue that slashing funds is a necessary wake-up call for an institution often criticized for inefficiency and overreach. Still, leaving humanitarian efforts in the lurch risks alienating allies who rely on UN support, a tightrope Waltz must walk from day one.
As Waltz prepares to represent the U.S. at the UN, questions linger about the White House's political capital in securing his confirmation after such a drawn-out process. The lack of clarity on why Democrats employed a last-minute procedural move only fuels speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions.
With the General Assembly looming, Waltz's ability to participate remains uncertain, as the Senate did not resolve his formal designation for the event.
For an administration promising to shake up global institutions, this stumbling start suggests the real work of making the UN "great again," as Waltz put it, will demand far more than rhetoric.
