President Donald Trump has removed Mike Waltz from his role as national security adviser and nominated him to be the next United States ambassador to the United Nations, marking the first major personnel shift of his second term in office.
The announcement came just 102 days after Waltz began his role at the National Security Council. Trump’s decision caught many by surprise, especially within his own circle, but was framed by the White House as a strategic change, not a dismissal.
Vice President JD Vance explained the move during an interview Thursday night, saying Waltz had successfully carried out needed reforms within the council and was now the right person to represent the U.S. on the world stage. According to Vance, Waltz maintains strong trust from both him and the president, and the reassignment reflects a broader plan for Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
While speculation circulated over whether recent tensions influenced the decision—including reports that Waltz added a journalist to a private military operations chat—Trump reportedly stood by him until this week’s transition. Sources suggested the president may have timed the change to reassert control and reinforce discipline within his national security team.
In the meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily take on the national security adviser role, balancing it alongside his duties as the nation’s top diplomat. Rubio’s interim role is seen as a stabilizing choice as the administration navigates global conflicts and ongoing diplomatic challenges.
Trump had reportedly considered Representative Elise Stefanik of New York for the UN role, but ultimately chose to keep her in Congress to support the House Republican majority heading into key legislative battles.
Waltz’s nomination now heads to the Senate, where he will face confirmation hearings. If approved, he will take over as the country’s voice at the United Nations during a period of rising global tensions and diplomatic shifts.
This move signals a reordering of Trump’s inner circle as he refines his second-term strategy and seeks loyal and experienced figures to shape his foreign policy vision.