Mike Waltz was confirmed as Donald Trump's new UN ambassador

The United States Senate confirmed Mike Waltz as ambassador to the United Nations on Friday, thus completing President Donald Trump's last cabinet appointment.

The vote, which was delayed due to opposition from Democratic senators, was approved by 47 to 45, with bipartisan support. Three Democratic senators, John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), and Mark Kelly (Arizona), crossed party lines to support Waltz.

The only Republican who voted against was Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky), who had already opposed Waltz's advancement from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The confirmation ends an almost nine-month diplomatic vacancy during which the United States had no official representation at the UN, just as the organization prepares for its General Assembly in New York next week.

Waltz's appointment is particularly significant in a global context marked by ongoing conflicts, tensions with powers such as China and Russia, and an increasingly questioned role for the UN in resolving international conflicts.

Who is Mike Waltz

Mike Waltz is a retired Army National Guard colonel and former Green Beret, and previously represented the state of Florida as a Republican member of the House of Representatives. Before his appointment as ambassador, he was President Trump's national security adviser.

However, his time on the National Security Council was marked by some turbulence: he left his post when the incident known as "Signalgate" occurred, when a journalist was added to a group chat that included senior officials such as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Vice President JD Vance. The chat addressed classified topics related to attacks in Yemen.

Despite the incident, Trump nominated him in May for the UN ambassadorship, replacing Representative Elise Stefanik (New York), who had initially been considered for the position. Trump justified the change by stating that losing Stefanik in the House of Representatives would jeopardize the approval of his "great and beautiful bill," given the narrow Republican majority.

During the confirmation hearings in July, Waltz was the subject of harsh criticism from Democratic senators, who described his actions in "Signalgate" as "amateurish." Nevertheless, Waltz defended his position, assuring that at no time was classified information shared and emphasizing his commitment to transparency and national security.

In his appearance, Waltz also outlined his vision for the United States' role at the UN. He stated that, despite its shortcomings, the organization remains a necessary forum for global dialogue.

"There must be at least one place in the world where everyone can speak," he said, mentioning powers such as China, Russia, Europe, and the developing world. Nevertheless, he criticized that after 80 years of existence, the UN has strayed from its main mission of fostering peace.

With Waltz's confirmation, the Trump administration finally has a complete cabinet, just in time for a key diplomatic event. His appointment suggests that the administration seeks a more critical but committed stance within the international body, while also aiming to project firmness in foreign policy.

Waltz took responsibility for the error in an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, adding that they would work to clarify what happened.