Trump nominates Mike Waltz as UN ambassador, names interim national security adviser

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday afternoon that he was nominating national security adviser Mike Waltz to the new role of  U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The move comes just months into Waltz's term as national security adviser. In his statement, Trump praised Waltz as a public servant who puts America's interests first. Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as interim national security adviser until the role is filled. 

The announcement came after several reports emerged Thursday morning that Trump planned to replace Waltz, along with deputy national security adviser Alex Wong. Waltz triggered a media firestorm in March by accidentally adding The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a private text chain about military operations against Houthi terrorists in Yemen. Waltz’s departure would mark the first major staff change since Trump’s return to office.

What are people saying?

• Republican Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker said he learned of Waltz’s departure during a hearing that morning.

• Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., claimed Waltz’s sudden departure proved chaos and incompetence rampant in Trump’s White House.

• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 running mate, referenced the recent Signal chat scandal by quipping that “Mike Waltz has left the chat.”

Waltz appeared on television Thursday morning, promoting the United States’ recent minerals deal with Ukraine as the news began circulating.