Turmoil and Transition: National Security Shake-Up Under Trump Administration

White House with fountain and flag visible

After being dismissed as National Security Adviser due to the Signalgate scandal, Mike Waltz finds a new opportunity as President Trump nominates him to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Key Takeaways

Mike Waltz was removed as National Security Adviser following the “Signalgate” scandal where he accidentally added a journalist to a Signal chat discussing military plans in Yemen.
President Trump has nominated Waltz for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, which requires Senate confirmation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily assume the National Security Adviser role while U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is rumored as a potential permanent replacement.
Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong are departing the administration in the first major shakeup of Trump’s second term.
Despite the scandal, Trump publicly expressed confidence in Waltz, calling him “a very good man” and highlighting his qualifications for the UN position.

Trump Reshuffles National Security Team Amid Scandal

President Donald Trump’s administration is undergoing significant changes as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong prepare to exit their roles. The departure comes in the wake of what has been dubbed “Signalgate” – an incident where Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a Signal chat group discussing sensitive military plans regarding Yemen. This security breach represents the first major personnel shakeup of Trump’s second term, occurring just weeks after the administration took office.

Despite the controversy, Trump has found a new role for Waltz, announcing on Truth Social his nomination as the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. The position requires Senate confirmation, setting up what could be a contentious approval process given the circumstances of Waltz’s departure from his previous role. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily take over the National Security Adviser responsibilities while the administration determines a permanent replacement.

Vance says Mike Waltz, nominated as U.N. Ambassador, successfully led key reforms at the National Security Council ahead of his Senate-confirmed role. pic.twitter.com/9PTp2IWSTL

— Geopoliti𝕏 Monitor (@GeopolitixM) May 1, 2025

The Signalgate Fallout and Administration Response

While Waltz took responsibility for the security breach, the incident has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly raised concerns about the administration’s handling of the situation, particularly implicating Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the matter. The controversy intensified when both Waltz and Wong were noticeably absent from a cabinet event despite having reserved seats, signaling their imminent departure well before the official announcement.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to manage the fallout by stating that the President “has the utmost confidence in Mike Waltz and his entire national security team,” though the subsequent removal from his position suggests otherwise. Waltz made appearances on Fox & Friends and at cabinet meetings praising Trump’s leadership before his removal, indicating the rapid shift in his standing within the administration.

Potential Successors and Future Direction

As the administration searches for a permanent National Security Adviser, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has emerged as a leading candidate for the position. Witkoff brings significant diplomatic experience, particularly in Russia-Ukraine relations and Middle Eastern affairs, areas of critical importance to the administration’s foreign policy agenda. This change in leadership could signal a shift in approach to international relations and security matters during Trump’s second term.

The nomination of Waltz to the UN Ambassador position, despite the Signalgate controversy, demonstrates Trump’s continued support for the former Republican lawmaker. Should Waltz secure Senate confirmation, he would replace the current UN Ambassador in representing American interests at the international body. The swift reassignment rather than complete removal suggests Trump’s desire to maintain experienced personnel within his administration, albeit in reconfigured roles that may better suit their capabilities.