President Donald Trump is planning to oust national security adviser Mike Waltz

President Trump to Remove National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Internal Fallout
Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to remove National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The decision comes in the wake of growing internal dissatisfaction with Waltz’s performance and a recent incident that embarrassed the administration, intensifying existing divisions within the national security apparatus.
The Final Straw: The “SignalGate” Blunder
The tipping point in Waltz's tenure as National Security Adviser came with what insiders are now calling “SignalGate.” According to reports, Waltz accidentally added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a private Signal group chat used by top administration officials. The chat was meant to coordinate sensitive military planning related to strikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen. While officials have claimed no classified material was leaked, the optics were undeniably damaging.
Though the administration initially attempted to downplay the incident—claiming it was a case of mistaken identity—critics, both internal and external, found the misstep emblematic of broader lapses in judgment and operational security. Goldberg’s unexpected presence in the chat, even if brief, raised alarm bells across Washington about how the Trump administration handles confidential national security matters.
Deteriorating Confidence Within the Administration
Even before the Signal incident, Waltz had reportedly fallen out of favor with several influential figures within the Trump administration. His traditionalist foreign policy views—supporting multilateral alliances like NATO and taking a more hawkish stance toward Russia—frequently clashed with Trump’s “America First” ideology. Insiders suggest that Waltz often found himself isolated during key policy discussions, outnumbered by more ideological loyalists in Trump’s inner circle.
Sources within the White House National Security Council (NSC) describe a growing lack of confidence in Waltz’s leadership and coordination. One senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked, “There’s been a breakdown in trust. You can’t run national security with that kind of fracture.”
Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, was also dismissed following the Signal debacle, further signaling that Trump is seeking a full shakeup of his national security team as he enters a critical phase of his presidency.
Trump’s Mixed Messaging
Initially, President Trump defended Waltz publicly, suggesting that the Signal incident was an honest mistake and downplaying its seriousness. "Mike is a patriot. Sometimes people press the wrong button," Trump said during an impromptu press briefing at Mar-a-Lago. However, sources close to the president indicate that privately, Trump was furious about the fallout and increasingly doubtful of Waltz’s ability to align with his vision for U.S. foreign policy.
Trump’s frustrations reportedly escalated in recent weeks as global crises—from escalating tensions with Iran to renewed instability in Venezuela—have required a more unified and decisive national security posture.
A Diplomatic Soft Landing
In an effort to avoid an outright dismissal and to preserve face, Trump has announced that he plans to nominate Waltz as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The move is seen by many as a demotion cloaked in diplomatic reassignment. While the ambassadorship is a prestigious role, it is a far cry from the day-to-day power and influence held by the National Security Adviser.
Critics argue the reassignment is an attempt to sideline Waltz while avoiding the kind of public fallout that accompanied the firings of previous national security officials like John Bolton or H.R. McMaster. “This is about optics and managing the narrative,” one former White House staffer noted. “Trump doesn’t want another public feud.”
Interim Replacement: Marco Rubio Steps In
To fill the vacuum left by Waltz’s departure, President Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting National Security Adviser. The dual role is highly unusual and has raised eyebrows among foreign policy experts, who question whether one person can effectively manage both portfolios simultaneously.
Rubio, however, has remained a staunch Trump ally and is seen as more ideologically aligned with the president than Waltz ever was. His elevation signals a broader consolidation of foreign policy power within Trump’s trusted circle.
Waltz’s Legacy and the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy
Mike Waltz’s tenure was short but eventful. A decorated former Green Beret and U.S. Representative, Waltz entered the White House with strong credentials and bipartisan respect. He sought to restore traditional U.S. alliances and advocated for a strong stance against authoritarian regimes. However, his efforts were often diluted or overruled by Trump’s more transactional, nationalist approach.
Under Waltz’s watch, the U.S. took a harder line on China and Russia, ramped up military support for Taiwan, and maintained pressure on Iran. Yet, critics say he failed to prevent Trump from undermining NATO commitments and was largely absent in the administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Syria earlier this year.
Supporters of Waltz have lamented his departure, arguing that he was one of the few remaining voices of strategic restraint in a White House increasingly dominated by ideologues. “Mike tried to bring professionalism and long-term thinking to the table,” said one former NSC staffer. “But the writing was on the wall. Trump wants loyalty, not legacy.”

As the Trump administration gears up for a high-stakes election season and mounting international crises, the change in national security leadership could have profound implications. With Marco Rubio temporarily holding two critical foreign policy positions, some fear that checks and balances within the administration may be further eroded.
Meanwhile, questions remain about Waltz’s future. If confirmed by the Senate as UN Ambassador, he could continue to exert influence on the world stage, though in a more constrained capacity. However, given Trump’s unpredictable personnel decisions, even that posting is not guaranteed.
As for the broader implications, the incident once again highlights the volatility and internal churn that have defined Trump’s leadership style. In the words of one anonymous diplomat, “Every new scandal isn’t just a headline—it’s a warning sign.”