Trump Nominates Waltz for UN Ambassador Amid NSC Shake-Up/ Newslooks/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has nominated outgoing National Security Adviser Mike Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, elevating Secretary of State Marco Rubio to also serve as interim NSC chief. The move follows weeks of scrutiny over Waltz’s Signal chat blunder and reflects an ongoing realignment of Trump’s national security team. Multiple aides, including Steve Witkoff and Richard Grenell, are being considered for Waltz’s permanent replacement.
Trump Nominates Waltz for UN Amid NSC Shake-Up: Quick Looks
- Mike Waltz nominated as UN ambassador following Signal chat fallout
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio tapped to serve as interim national security adviser
- Waltz must now face Senate confirmation hearings amid Democratic scrutiny
- VP JD Vance denies Waltz was fired, calling it a promotion
- Trump withdrew earlier UN nominee Elise Stefanik to protect House majority
- Steve Witkoff, Richard Grenell, Sebastian Gorka among possible permanent NSC picks
- Loomer celebrates Waltz’s departure, blames staff loyalty issues
- Defense Secretary Hegseth also under investigation for Signal-related security breaches
Deep Look: Trump Nominates Mike Waltz for UN, Elevates Rubio as National Security Shake-Up Unfolds
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a major shift in his national security team, nominating National Security Adviser Mike Waltz as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations while assigning Secretary of State Marco Rubio to serve as interim national security adviser.
The move follows Waltz’s recent troubles stemming from a Signal messaging blunder, where a journalist was mistakenly added to a group chat involving sensitive military operations. The nomination allows Trump to remove Waltz without appearing to punish him, a strategy that Vice President JD Vance described as a promotion rather than a firing.
“He doesn’t give them Senate-confirmed appointments afterwards,” Vance said on Fox News, pushing back on media portrayals.
Rubio Takes Over at Critical Foreign Policy Moment
Rubio, who has already overseen a sweeping reorganization of the State Department, now steps into a dual role not seen since Henry Kissinger held both national security and diplomatic posts in the 1970s. He assumes leadership of the NSC during a volatile period involving:
- Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza
- Iran’s accelerating nuclear program
- Unresolved global trade disruptions from Trump’s renewed tariff agenda
“Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN,” Trump wrote in the official announcement.
How long Rubio will juggle both responsibilities remains unclear.
Waltz’s Departure: Fallout and “Soft Landing”
Waltz’s Signal chat debacle, where plans for a Yemen airstrike were shared on an unsecured app, triggered bipartisan concern. Though the White House insists no classified information was compromised, the optics were damaging. Waltz admitted the mistake and claimed ignorance about how journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was added to the chat.
Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer publicly celebrated Waltz’s departure and suggested others on the NSC should be next.
“SCALP,” she wrote in a post on X, continuing, “Hopefully, the rest… also depart.”
Despite the backlash, Waltz called the nomination an honor:
“I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation.”
His confirmation hearing will now offer Senate Democrats their first opportunity to question him publicly about the Signal leak.
Who’s Next for the NSC Role?
According to sources familiar with internal deliberations, Trump is weighing several candidates for the permanent national security adviser post, including:
- Steve Witkoff – Real estate magnate and Trump confidant, currently leading Iran and Ukraine talks
- Richard Grenell – Former ambassador, now head of the Kennedy Center and special envoy for diplomatic missions
- Sebastian Gorka – NSC senior director for counterterrorism
- Michael Anton – Former Trump administration official and State Department strategist
Witkoff is said to be reluctant to take on the NSC’s demanding role, preferring to stay in his more autonomous special envoy position.
Grenell, meanwhile, is considering a California gubernatorial run and might decline a permanent post at the NSC.
Hegseth Also Under Fire
As scrutiny mounts over national security protocols, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also facing questions for his role in the Signal incident. Hegseth reportedly posted exact aircraft launch and bombing times to unsecured chats and is under investigation by the Pentagon Inspector General.
Hegseth also bypassed cybersecurity protocols by installing an unsecured personal computer next to terminals receiving classified information, raising serious security concerns.
Despite this, Trump has reaffirmed his support for Hegseth, who continues to play a key role in military operations and remains a close White House ally.
Context and Cabinet Reshuffle
Trump’s earlier pick for UN ambassador, Rep. Elise Stefanik, was withdrawn due to fears her exit from the House would compromise the GOP’s razor-thin majority.
Waltz’s nomination represents a strategic reshuffle, offering a “soft landing” while removing him from the NSC, according to Mark Montgomery, a former Navy admiral.
“Waltz tried to adjust to the president’s more opportunistic system,” Montgomery said. “But the president is just a hard person to adjust to.”
Confirmation Battle Ahead
Waltz’s nomination sets up a likely contentious Senate confirmation battle, particularly among Democrats eager to examine the Signal leak in greater detail. Sen. Chris Coons, a leading Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, made clear that Waltz’s nomination won’t go unchallenged.
“I look forward to a thorough confirmation hearing,” Coons said.
