Mike Waltz, previously ousted from the National Security Council, receives President Donald Trump's nomination for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
According to Fox News, President Donald Trump has decided to nominate Mike Waltz for the role of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, following Waltz's recent removal from the National Security Council.
In a significant reshuffle within his administration, President Trump expressed confidence in Waltz for this high-ranking diplomatic role. This decision came shortly after Rep. Elise Stefanik withdrew her nomination for the same position in March, citing a need to focus on domestic political challenges and her role in Congress.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to temporarily fill the role of National Security Advisor. He will carry on with his duties as the head of the State Department during this interim period.
Trump's choice reflects a pattern observed in past presidential administrations. For example, in 1973, President Richard Nixon appointed Henry Kissinger to the dual roles of national security advisor and secretary of state, highlighting a precedent for such overlapping responsibilities.
Amidst these shifts, a controversy had emerged regarding Mike Waltz's handling of sensitive discussions. A leak involving a Signal chat, although it didn't contain classified information, inadvertently shared insights from high-level conversations with a journalist. This incident likely influenced his ousting from the National Security Council.
Originally, Trump nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik for the U.N. position post his November 2024 electoral victory. However, the internal dynamics within her political party and special elections in Florida that saw narrow Republican victories prompted her withdrawal from the nomination process.
The reshuffle also allowed officials to consider other potential candidates. They evaluated prominent figures such as David Friedman, Ellie Cohanim, and Richard Grenell, who explicitly declined interest in the ambassadorship before Waltz received the nomination.
Regarding Rep. Elise Stefanik's choice to stay in Congress, Donald Trump had praised her crucial role in maintaining a slim Republican majority during a tense political climate.
Trump, in one of his messages, stated, "With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. Others can do a good job at the United Nations," highlighting the strategic consideration behind Stefanik's decision to remain in the House of Representatives.
President Donald Trump emphasized his expectations for the United Nations and the broader international stage during the signing of an executive order in February. He commented on the unrealized potential of the U.N. to assist in global conflicts, suggesting a vision for more proactive international engagement.
Commenting on the developments, Mike Waltz shared his sentiments on X, stating he was "deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation."
The new shuffle reflects both strategic decision-making within the Republican Party and broader diplomatic objectives of the U.S. under Trump's leadership. With Mike Waltz's nomination and Marco Rubio's temporary role as National Security Advisor, the administration continues to navigate both national and international security challenges.
