Trump Shifts National Security Team: Rubio as Adviser, Waltz Envoy to UN
In a significant reshuffling of his national security team, United States President Donald Trump has removed Mike Waltz as national security adviser, appointing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the role on an interim basis.
Waltz, a former Green Beret and congressman, has been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a position requiring Senate confirmation.
The announcement, made on Thursday, marks the first major staffing change of Trump’s second term and follows months of controversy surrounding Waltz, including the “Signalgate” scandal and reported policy misalignments.
Signalgate Scandal and Waltz’s Departure
The catalyst for Waltz’s reassignment appears to be the March incident in which Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to a private Signal group chat.
The chat, created by Waltz, included top officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Rubio, discussing a bombing campaign in Yemen targeting Houthi forces.
Goldberg’s inclusion exposed sensitive details, including precise timings and aircraft involved, prompting widespread criticism.
“I take full responsibility. I built the group,” Waltz told Fox News in March, addressing the scandal. He added, regarding Goldberg, “We’ve got the best technical minds looking into how this happened. But I can tell you for 100 percent: I don’t know this guy.”
The White House declared the matter “case closed,” but the incident eroded trust in Waltz’s leadership, with Democrats calling for his and Hegseth’s resignations.
Further complicating Waltz’s tenure, he was photographed using a modified, less secure version of Signal during a cabinet meeting last week, raising additional security concerns.
The White House defended the app’s general use, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly stating, “Signal is an approved app for government use and is loaded on government phones.”
Policy Clashes and Internal Tensions
Beyond Signalgate, Waltz’s hawkish foreign policy stance created friction within the administration.
According to The Washington Post, Waltz engaged in “intense coordination” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential military strikes on Iran, ahead of an Oval Office meeting with Trump in February.
This approach clashed with Trump’s preference for diplomatic solutions, such as Omani-mediated talks with Tehran.
“Waltz wanted to take U.S. policy in a direction Trump wasn’t comfortable with because the U.S. hadn’t attempted a diplomatic solution,” a source familiar with the matter said. “It got back to Trump and the president wasn’t happy with it.”
Netanyahu’s office denied claims of “intensive contact” with Waltz, but the episode strained Waltz’s relationship with the president.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles also reportedly grew skeptical of Waltz’s fit within the administration.
“Mike and I have been friends for many years and I have a great deal of respect for him,” Wiles said, but sources indicated she viewed him as misaligned with Trump’s vision.
Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, was also removed, marking the first senior White House firings of Trump’s second term.
MAGA Criticism and Senate Challenges Ahead
Waltz faced backlash from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) base, who questioned his loyalty.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized Waltz for a 2016 video in which he appeared to question Trump’s remarks about military service members.
She also targeted Wong, alleging ties to Chinese interests, and celebrated their departures, writing, “Hopefully, the rest of the people who were set to be fired but were given promotions at the NSC under Waltz also depart.”
Former strategist Steve Bannon similarly criticized Waltz’s hawkish policies, particularly his support for military interventions.
Despite support from Vice President Vance, who described the reassignment as a “strategic move” and included Waltz on a March trip to Greenland, Waltz’s position became untenable.
His nomination to the UN ambassadorship, replacing the previously withdrawn nomination of Representative Elise Stefanik, now faces a contentious Senate confirmation process.
The Signalgate controversy and Waltz’s reported unauthorized communications with Israeli leaders are likely to dominate questioning.
Rubio’s Expanded Role and Future Implications
Marco Rubio, a prominent Republican senator before joining Trump’s cabinet, will serve as both secretary of state and national security adviser, a dual role not seen since the 1970s.
Rubio’s hawkish background aligns with traditional Republican foreign policy, but officials note he has adapted to Trump’s agenda, particularly on issues like Russia and Ukraine, where he has threatened to withdraw U.S. support from peace talks if necessary.
The administration has not named a permanent replacement for Waltz, with names like Stephen Miller, Steve Witkoff, and Ric Grenell circulating as potential candidates.
Some officials question the need for a traditional National Security Council, suggesting Trump prefers a streamlined approach centered on his personal vision. “Certainly, people give opinions,” a senior White House official said. But with decisions like this, “it’s him.”
Trump emphasized continuity in his announcement, stating, “Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN.”
Waltz, acknowledging his new role, wrote on social media, “I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation.”
As Waltz prepares for Senate hearings and Rubio assumes greater responsibility, the shake-up underscores Trump’s focus on loyalty and alignment with his foreign policy goals, setting the stage for further evolution in his administration’s approach to global affairs.