In a surprising move on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump replaced his National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, following a scandal over leaked messages from a group chat dubbed “Signalgate.” Trump announced that Waltz would be nominated as the new ambassador to the United Nations.
This marks the first major cabinet shake-up of Trump’s new term. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as the interim National Security Advisor until a permanent replacement is found.
“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 on Truth Social, his social media platform.
Waltz, a 51-year-old former special forces officer and congressman from Florida, had been under scrutiny since March when “Signalgate” came to light. The editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine revealed that Waltz had accidentally added him to a Signal chat discussing U.S. military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
“I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation,” Waltz wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
While Trump publicly supported Waltz, sources indicate that confidence in him had waned behind the scenes. Tensions also grew due to Waltz’s firm stance on Russia and Iran, which conflicted with Trump’s recent diplomatic overtures toward Moscow and renewed negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.
The scandal has also put pressure on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is alleged to have shared sensitive military operation timings in the same Signal chat, including in messages to a group that included his wife. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer posted on X, saying, “Now do Hegseth,” urging further accountability.
Despite calls for action, Trump has stood by Hegseth, dismissing the scandal as a “witch hunt.”
Waltz’s nomination to the UN will require Senate confirmation, ensuring that “Signalgate” remains in the spotlight. Meanwhile, U.S. media reports suggest that Steve Witkoff, a real estate magnate appointed by Trump to lead talks with both Russia and Iran, is a potential candidate to permanently replace Waltz.
The role of National Security Advisor is a significant one, previously held by notable figures such as Henry Kissinger. The unfolding events signal potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities.
