President Donald Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to temporarily serve as national security adviser following the removal of Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong.
Waltz’s departure creates a prominent vacancy within the Trump administration and follows his inadvertent inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg—the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic—in a Signal group chat discussing potential U.S. military actions in Yemen.
While Rubio has stepped in on an interim basis, other names are being floated as permanent replacements.
What It Matters
The national security adviser is one of the most influential positions in the U.S. government, serving as the president’s top aide on global affairs and security threats. The person selected for this role would shape high-level decisions on foreign policy, intelligence and military strategy. The choice may also signal broader changes in Trump’s national security agenda.
Photos Show Mike Waltz Using Signal in Trump Cabinet Meeting
Representative Elise Stefanik
A strong Trump ally in the House of Representatives, Elise Stefanik was tapped earlier this year as Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. In March, Trump pulled the New Yorker’s nomination amid Republican pressure.
Announcing his decision in a post on social media, Trump said it was essential that Stefanik retain her seat in the House to protect Republicans’ razor-thin majority.
“I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat,” the president wrote on Truth Social on March 27. “The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations.”
While her appointment to the national security role could risk narrowing the GOP’s already tight House majority, Stefanik, who remains close to Trump and aligned with his agenda, is a prospect for the position.
Richard Grenell
A veteran of Trump’s first administration, Richard Grenell served as U.S. ambassador to Germany and as the acting director of national intelligence. He serves the second administration as a special presidential envoy for special missions and as the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center.
In March, some conservatives floated Grenell as a potential candidate for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. However, on Thursday, Trump nominated Waltz for the position.
Steve Witkoff
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East and longtime ally, has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin four times in about two months. In late April, he traveled to Moscow to deliver what was described as Trump’s final peace offer in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A Kremlin-released video showed Witkoff greeting Putin with a smile and saying, “It’s so good to see you.” He was accompanied by a translator, while Putin was joined by senior Russian officials. Witkoff, a former real estate developer, also helped secure the release of American teacher Marc Fogel from a Russian prison earlier this year.
Does the National Security Adviser Need Senate Approval?
No. The national security adviser is a presidential appointment and does not require Senate confirmation. Unlike Cabinet-level positions or ambassadorships, the role is part of the president’s executive office and can be filled at the president’s discretion. This gives the White House flexibility to install or replace a national security adviser without going through a congressional vetting process.
Was Mike Waltz Fired?
Waltz left his role as national security adviser after Trump nominated him to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The White House did not provide details about the transition.
Signal Chat Recap
Waltz’s departure came after he added, without explanation, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal chat used by Trump officials to coordinate national security discussions. The chat included sensitive exchanges about military strategy and foreign policy, including discussions related to Yemen.
The editor later published a detailed account of the incident, including screenshots from the conversation. While the White House has not confirmed any link between the incident and Waltz’s reassignment, the breach sparked internal scrutiny and concern.
What Happens Next
Congress is set to vote on Waltz’s nomination for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, while Rubio oversees the White House’s national security team in the interim.
Trump has not said whom he plans to appoint as Waltz’s permanent successor.
Read the full article here
