Key Figures Exit Trump’s Security Team Amid Turmoil and Debate

White House with fountain and garden in foreground

President Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has been forced out of his position following a security blunder, but will now be nominated for a new role as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Key Takeaways

Mike Waltz, Trump’s National Security Adviser, has been removed from his position but nominated as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations following the “Signalgate” scandal.
The scandal involved Waltz inadvertently adding a journalist to a Signal chat discussing military plans in Yemen.
Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also departing the administration as part of the shakeup.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily assume the National Security Adviser role.
Steve Witkoff, experienced in Russia-Ukraine diplomacy and Middle East affairs, is a potential permanent replacement.

The “Signalgate” Scandal

In the first major shakeup of President Trump’s second administration, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong are leaving their positions following a security breach dubbed “Signalgate.” The incident involved Waltz accidentally adding a journalist to a Signal chat where top Trump national security officials were discussing military plans regarding Yemen. Despite the gravity of the error, Trump has expressed continued confidence in Waltz by nominating him to a different role.

The security breach, which could have compromised sensitive military planning, occurred early in the administration, creating immediate challenges for the national security team. Waltz took responsibility for the mistake, and initially, the administration stood by him. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily take over as National Security Adviser until a permanent replacement is named, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to continuity in national security leadership.

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

Trump Offers Waltz a New Role

Despite the forced departure from the National Security Adviser position, Trump has nominated Waltz to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. “I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations,” Trump posted via the Truth Social platform, where the President praised his former adviser. This nomination signals that while the administration could not overlook the security breach, Trump still values Waltz’s experience and capabilities in international affair.

The move to nominate Waltz for the U.N. position requires Senate confirmation, adding another layer of scrutiny to his appointment. Before his departure, Waltz had publicly praised Trump in a Fox & Friends appearance and during a cabinet meeting, but these displays of loyalty were not enough to save his national security position. Both Waltz and Wong were notably absent from a recent cabinet event despite having reserved seats, confirming their departure was already in motion.

Potential Replacements and Policy Implications

As the administration searches for a permanent National Security Adviser, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has emerged as a leading candidate. Witkoff brings valuable experience in Russia-Ukraine diplomacy and Middle East affairs, potentially signaling the administration’s priorities in international relations. These credentials could be particularly valuable as the administration formulates its approach to ongoing conflicts and diplomatic challenges.

The shakeup has drawn criticism from some quarters, including Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who has questioned the administration’s handling of the situation and implicated Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the fallout. Despite the criticism, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously stated that Trump “has the utmost confidence in Mike Waltz and his entire national security team,” suggesting the President’s decision to remove Waltz from his national security role while offering him another position was not made lightly.