Trump is sending his national security adviser Mike Waltz to the UN in a shakeup

Trump Sends National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to the UN: A Dramatic Shake-Up in the White House

In a move that has stirred both surprise and criticism, President Donald Trump has removed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz from his post and nominated him as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. This decision, coming just within the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, marks a significant reshuffling within the highest levels of the U.S. government.

While the White House describes it as a strategic repositioning, many political observers believe this shift is a direct response to growing concerns over Waltz’s recent misstep involving classified military communications and his increasingly aggressive foreign policy stance.

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Who is Mike Waltz?

Mike Waltz is a former Green Beret and Republican Congressman from Florida. Known for his hardline positions on defense and foreign policy, Waltz had been one of Trump’s closest advisors on national security matters since the beginning of his second term. He brought a military-first mindset to the National Security Council and was seen as a hawk in terms of his approach to China, Iran, and Middle Eastern conflicts.

However, his tenure took a turn in March 2025 when he became embroiled in a major controversy involving leaked military intelligence.

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The Signal Group Chat Blunder

The turning point for Waltz came when he accidentally added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a private Signal group chat that included senior national security officials discussing a confidential military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. Goldberg's presence in the chat, even briefly, led to a leak of operational details that found their way into the press just days later.

While the Pentagon quickly attempted to downplay the impact of the leak, the fallout was severe. Waltz was heavily criticized by both Republicans and Democrats for his negligence, which many believed compromised American troops and strained relations with allies in the Middle East.

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Trump’s Strategic Pivot

Faced with growing backlash and a need to reassert control over his administration’s security apparatus, President Trump made the decision to remove Waltz from the National Security Council. Instead of forcing him out entirely, Trump chose to nominate Waltz as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a position that will allow him to remain visible on the global stage while also distancing him from the day-to-day operations of national defense.

In the meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as Acting National Security Adviser — a rare dual role that hasn't been seen since Henry Kissinger held both positions in the 1970s.

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A Controversial Nomination

Waltz’s nomination to the United Nations is expected to be met with fierce resistance in the Senate. Democrats have already signaled that they will scrutinize his record closely, particularly focusing on the Signal incident and his hawkish worldview, which some fear could further isolate the U.S. from key international partners.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated, “This is not the time to send someone to the UN whose idea of diplomacy is saber-rattling and secrecy. We need someone who can rebuild trust — not someone who has broken it.”

On the Republican side, support is split. While some conservatives applaud Waltz’s tough stance on America’s adversaries, others worry that his confirmation could turn into a political liability.

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The Bigger Picture

This personnel shake-up is just one part of a broader pattern within Trump’s second-term administration. In recent months, multiple senior officials have either resigned or been reassigned. Some insiders describe the White House as “chaotic but determined,” with Trump taking an increasingly hands-on approach to foreign policy and national defense.

Analysts believe that Trump’s decision to retain Waltz in a different role rather than dismissing him outright reflects both loyalty and strategy. By sending him to the UN, Trump can maintain a strong voice for his administration's policies on a global platform while reducing domestic vulnerability.

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What’s Next?

The Senate confirmation hearing for Mike Waltz is expected to take place later this month. With mounting pressure from both political sides and intense media scrutiny, it promises to be one of the most closely watched hearings in recent years.

In the meantime, Marco Rubio’s new dual role will test his ability to manage two of the country’s most critical diplomatic positions simultaneously. Some speculate that Rubio may be a long-term contender for one of the roles, depending on how he performs during this interim period.

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Conclusion

President Trump’s decision to shift Mike Waltz from the National Security Council to the United Nations is more than a personnel change — it’s a reflection of the challenges, controversies, and strategies shaping the Trump administration’s second term. As the Senate prepares to weigh in on Waltz’s future, the American public and international community will be watching closely to see how this move impacts U.S. diplomacy and security in the months ahead.