menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Waltz ouster highlights Trump team tumult

2 1
02.05.2025
*{box-sizing:border-box}body{margin:0;padding:0}a[x-apple-data-detectors]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:inherit!important}#MessageViewBody a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none}p{line-height:inherit}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{mso-hide:all;display:none;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}.image_block img div{display:none}sub,sup{font-size:75%;line-height:0}#converted-body .list_block ol,#converted-body .list_block ul,.body [class~=x_list_block] ol,.body [class~=x_list_block] ul,u .body .list_block ol,u .body .list_block ul{padding-left:20px} @media (max-width:620px){.desktop_hide table.icons-outer{display:inline-table!important}.image_block div.fullWidth{max-width:100%!important}.mobile_hide{display:none}.row-content{width:100%!important}.stack .column{width:100%;display:block}.mobile_hide{min-height:0;max-height:0;max-width:0;overflow:hidden;font-size:0}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{display:table!important;max-height:none!important}.reverse{display:table;width:100%}.reverse .column.first{display:table-footer-group!important}.reverse .column.last{display:table-header-group!important}.row-10 td.column.first .border,.row-12 td.column.first .border,.row-8 td.column.first .border{padding:5px 5px 15px 25px}.row-10 td.column.last .border,.row-12 td.column.last .border,.row-8 td.column.last .border{padding:5px 20px 25px 5px}} Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter

{beacon}

Defense &
National Security

Defense &
National Security

 

The Big Story

Waltz exit latest ‘chaos’ on Trump national security team

The ousting of national security adviser Mike Waltz triggered a major shake-up in President Trump’s White House team, which is divided between America First-isolationists and traditional Republican hawks.

© AP

Trump announced Thursday afternoon that Waltz, a hawkish former congressman, would become his nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio serving as national security adviser in the interim.

Waltz has been targeted by MAGA loyalists inside and outside the administration over an alleged lack of commitment to the president’s agenda, and he was at the center of a Signal chat scandal that marked a low point of Trump’s first 100 days.

His removal adds to the tumult in Trump’s national security teams. It comes a month after multiple top National Security Council officials were fired along with the head of the National Security Agency and as the Pentagon is roiled by a leak investigation and firings among Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s top staff.

“Mike Waltz’s abrupt dismissal is further proof of the chaos and incompetence that has reigned over President Trump’s White House and national security team during his first 100 days in office,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

“The stunning amount of turnover of senior staff at both the National Security Council and at the Pentagon is alarming.”

While the U.N. post would give Waltz a platform on the international stage, it moves him far from the Oval Office.

Some Republicans expressed disappointment when word of Waltz’s firing as national security adviser emerged.

“He did a very good job as national security adviser. It’s the prerogative of the president to decide who his team will be, but I was sorry to see that news,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said.

Those in traditional GOP foreign policy circles who........

© The Hill