Trump fired Mike Waltz as the top security adviser

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday a significant restructuring of his national security team, nominating Mike Waltz as the United States ambassador to the United Nations and appointing Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as interim national security advisor. The announcement was made via Truth Social, Trump's social network.

Trump praised Waltz for his military service, his track record in Congress, and his performance as a national security advisor. "I know he'll do the same in his new role," the president stated.

Meanwhile, Rubio will temporarily assume the national security advisory role while maintaining his duties as head of the State Department, in what Trump described as part of the effort to "make America and the world safe again."

Waltz's departure from the national security advisor position comes after weeks of uncertainty and controversy. In mid-March, Waltz made a mistake by accidentally adding Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, a media outlet critical of Trump, to a chat group on the Signal app where confidential airstrikes in Yemen were being discussed.

Although Trump initially publicly supported him, stating that "Waltz has learned the lesson," sources close to the presidential environment indicated that his departure was inevitable, although Trump had opted to delay his dismissal to avoid instability during his first 100 days in office.

The error known as "Signalgate" was not the only reason for Waltz's downfall. He was also criticized for not showing enough deference to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and for past anti-Trump comments.

Waltz, a former congressman from Florida and war veteran, also worked during George W. Bush's administration as a counterterrorism advisor to then-Vice President Dick Cheney.

This link with the more interventionist wing of the Republican Party has been a source of friction with Trump, who has criticized figures like Cheney for being "warmongers."

Trump did not mention Waltz during his speech at the National Day of Prayer event, although he did praise other cabinet members, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Waltz's appointment as ambassador to the UN comes after the withdrawal of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who had been announced as the original candidate in November 2024.

Stefanik withdrew from the confirmation process last month due to concerns about the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives. In an interview with Fox News, Stefanik explained that her presence in Congress was crucial both to maintain Republican control and to combat "Democratic corruption" in New York.

Trump publicly supported Stefanik's decision, noting that her presence in Congress is key to passing historic tax reforms, fostering job creation, and ensuring border security. "With a very tight majority, I don't want to risk another candidate for Elise's seat," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, several names are circulating as potential permanent replacements for Waltz on the National Security Council. Among them are Steve Witkoff, a close friend of Trump and special envoy to the Middle East; Michael Anton, current director of political planning at the White House; and David Friedman, former ambassador to Israel.

Anton, known for his essay "The Flight 93 Election," which strongly supported voting for Trump in 2016, has the backing of Vice PresidentJD Vance and other key allies.

During his first presidency, Trump appointed Nikki Haley and Kelly Craft as ambassadors to the UN. In this new administration, Trump has significantly reduced U.S. participation in corrupt UN bodies, such as the Human Rights Council, and has cut funding to humanitarian aid programs.

In February, he signed an executive order reaffirming his stance: "I've always felt that the UN has enormous potential, but it's not well managed." He also criticized the organization's lack of support in resolving global conflicts.

With Waltz's appointment, Trump expects a firmer approach aligned with his vision of "America first" on the international stage.