US President Donald Trump has fired his national security adviser Mike Waltz. The former congressman and ex-elite soldier is to be nominated as US ambassador to the United Nations instead.

Waltz had accidentally added a journalist to a Signal chat group where military strikes against the Houthis were being discussed.

Trump announced the decision on Thursday via his social media platform Truth Social: “Mike Waltz has served our country in uniform, in Congress, and as National Security Advisor. I am confident he will continue to represent our interests with passion at the United Nations.”

Signal scandal cost Waltz his job

The background to the dismissal is a serious incident in March: Waltz accidentally added a journalist to a Signal chat group in which high-ranking government officials – including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth – were discussing a planned military strike against the Houthi rebels. The revelation by The Atlantic magazine sparked a storm of criticism and significantly weakened Waltz’s position.

Although Trump initially supported Waltz publicly and dismissed the reporting as exaggerated, discontent grew in the White House. According to insiders, the president had already been dissatisfied with Waltz: he had not adequately represented the Trump camp in the media, made poor personnel decisions, and taken too radical a stance on foreign policy issues such as Iran and Ukraine – contrary to the government’s line, writes the Wall Street Journal.

Rubio moves to the center of power

The handover of the influential security portfolio to Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen as further evidence of his increased importance within the Trump administration. Rubio, once Trump’s rival in the 2016 primaries, has distinguished himself in his second term as a loyal and powerful player. He takes a hard line on foreign policy, especially toward China and Latin America, and has actively supported Trump’s controversial deportation programs. Most recently, he negotiated a deal with El Salvador that allows US deportations to Salvadoran prisons.

Rubio’s appointment as national security adviser came as a surprise. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said she learned of the appointment during a press conference: “Apparently, I’m just finding out about this from you,” she told reporters.

Clean-up in the security apparatus

Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also being dismissed. Other members of the National Security Council who were considered loyal followers of Waltz are expected to follow. Wong, a former top adviser to Senator Tom Cotton, had already come under pressure from foreign policy hardliners in Trump’s circle who accused him, without evidence, of having close ties to China.

Waltz’s support in the White House had already been greatly reduced in April after conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer convinced Trump that Waltz had hired staff who were damaging the “MAGA” agenda. Although he survived this first purge, his authority has been considered shaken ever since.

His last public appearance was a footnote: during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Waltz was photographed using the Signal app again – a reminder of what ultimately sealed his dismissal.

UN post as a political sidetrack?

Waltz’s nomination as UN ambassador requires Senate approval. Critics expect a difficult hearing, especially because of the “Signalgate” scandal. President Trump traditionally attaches little importance to the office, partly because it is based in New York and he is skeptical of the United Nations’ multilateralism.

New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was originally intended for the post. However, she was asked to remain in the House of Representatives to secure the narrow Republican majority.

A pattern repeats itself

Mike Waltz was Trump’s fifth national security adviser – and, with 102 days in office, lasted longer than Michael Flynn, who was fired after only three weeks for making false statements about the Russia affair. Like Flynn, Waltz apparently remains loyal to Trump: In an initial statement, he said it was “an honor to continue serving our great country under President Trump.”

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Credit: APA