Friday morning news: May 2, 2025

Waltz out as NSA, nominated for ambassador to UN » President Trump is shaking up his national security team.

He has removed Michael Waltz as national security adviser. But he is not firing him. Instead, the president is nominating Waltz to serve as US Ambassador to the UN.

Vice President JD Vance said Waltz still has the president’s trust.

VANCE:  Donald Trump has fired a lot of people. Uh, he doesn't give them Senate confirmed appointments afterwards. What he thinks is that Mike Waltz is gonna better serve the administration, most importantly, the American people in that role. And I happen to agree with him.

The move comes in the wake of a public controversy after Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a chat using the encrypted messaging app Signal. That chat included high-level discussions about military plans.

There were conflicting reports last night as to whether Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, would remain on the job.

The president last month announced the firing of a handful of national security employees.

Rubio to serve as acting NSA and secretary of state » With Waltz’s departure from the White House:

VANCE: Marco Rubio’s going to step in as interim leader of the National Security Council.

But Secretary Rubio will also keep his current job.

Though it is likely a temporary arrangement, this will make Rubio the first person to serve as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor at the same time … since Henry Kissinger in the 1970s.

Iran talks postponed, Trump sanctions » President Trump is ramping up pressure on Iran amid nuclear talks. At the White House on Thursday, Trump declared:

TRUMP:  I put sanctions on last night. Any oil that anybody takes from Iran is not allowed to do business in the United States of America, which is what I did the last time. That drove them into a very, uh, bad state.

This move follows the postponement of planned U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, which were scheduled to take place in Rome.

Mediators from Oman cited logistical reasons for the delay rather than any breakdown in talks.

It remains to be seen how those secondary sanctions against Iran will be enforced, especially concerning major importers of Iranian oil like China.

Trump religious liberty commission executive order » At the White House Thursday, President Trump welcomed dozens of faith leaders in the Rose Garden to mark the National Day of Prayer and sign a new executive order. That order will establish a new religious liberty commission.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will lead that effort.

PATRICK:  There's a saying that no one should get between a doctor and a patient. I think we would say no one should get between God and a believer. No one should get between God and those seeking him.

The commission will identify and evaluate threats to religious liberty, parental rights, and free speech for religious organizations.

President Trump has also set up offices to look into allegations of anti-Christian bias at the Justice Department and antisemitism on college campuses.

DeSantis and ICE on Operation Tidal Wave » Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is touting the biggest single crackdown on illegal immigration in the state’s history.

Operation Tidal Wave involved both state and federal partners, including the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

DESANTIS: This is the largest immigration enforcement operation that we've seen in quite some time throughout the entire country. Florida state agencies assisted federal authorities to arrest over 1,100 illegal aliens across the state.

Not everyone is happy with the crackdown though. Some critics are calling for greater due process provisions for migrants before they’re deported.

Illinois driver medical emergency » Illinois State Police say the driver of a car that barreled through a building housing an after-school camp in central Illinois may have suffered a medical emergency.

Three young children and a teenager were killed in the incident on Monday.

State Police Director Brendan Kelly said the investigation is ongoing, but …

KELLY:  At this time we can report initial preliminary toxicology test results were negative for alcohol and negative for controlled substances.

A 44-year-old woman was behind the wheel of the vehicle that went off the road and smashed into the side of the building in Chatham, just outside of Springfield.

Police previously said they did not believe it to have been any kind of intentional, targeted attack.

Six other children were hospitalized and one remains in critical condition.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with Katie McCoy. Plus, more listener feedback during Ask the Editor.

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