Trump Removes Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser After Signal Scandal

U.S. President Donald Trump made a major announcement. He removed Mike Waltz from his role as national security adviser and said he would nominate him as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

This came just over 100 days into Trump’s second term and marks the first big cabinet change since his re-election. Trump appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the interim national security adviser until a permanent replacement is found.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said,
“From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress, and as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first.”

Why Molly Qerim Is Leaving First Take After Nearly a Decade

But behind the scenes, there’s a much more complicated story.

Who is Mike Waltz?

Mike Waltz is a name that many in U.S. politics and defense know well. He was born in Boynton Beach, Florida, and comes from a military family. Both his father and grandfather served in the U.S. Navy, and he was raised by a single mom.

Who Is Robert Irwin From Dancing With The Stars Season 34? Age, Height, Partner, Career

Before entering Congress, Waltz worked in the Pentagon and also served in the George W. Bush White House. He later became the first Green Beret ever elected to Congress, representing Florida’s 6th District in 2018.

He served on big committees like Intelligence, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs. He was also part of the House China Task Force, where he built a strong anti-China reputation. That tough stance helped him win support from Trump, who made him national security adviser in November 2024.

At the time, Waltz was seen as a strong and reliable defense leader. But things quickly took a turn.

Judge Drops Terrorism Charges Against Luigi Mangione, Murder Trial Still On

Why Was Mike Waltz Removed?

The short answer? A leak—and a big one.

In March 2025, a controversy known as “Signal gate” broke out. Waltz accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a private Signal group chat. That group included several top national security officials.

The group chat was reportedly discussing classified U.S. military plans, including possible airstrikes in Yemen. Once journalists found out about the accidental invite, the group’s messages came under public and media scrutiny.

Things got worse during Waltz’s final cabinet meeting. A photographer captured a close-up image of his phone. On the screen, there was a Signal message thread with “JD Vance”, the current Vice President of the United States.

One message said:
“I have confirmation from my counterpart it’s turned off. He is going to be here in…”

Nobody knows who sent it—Waltz or Vance—but the leak shook the White House. It raised major concerns about digital communication and national security practices.

Were Other Officials Involved?

Yes. Waltz wasn’t the only one in hot water.

Reports say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have shared classified military flight details in another Signal chat—this one including his wife.

Now, Democrats are asking for more accountability. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer even posted:
“Now do Hegseth.”

That pressure is growing. Many believe Hegseth could be next in line for questioning—or even removal.

Was Waltz Actually Fired?

Technically, no. But that’s just politics.

While insiders say Trump lost confidence in Waltz, the President didn’t want it to look like a firing. So instead, he nominated him to the U.N. ambassador post. That way, the exit looks more like a promotion.

Still, most people see it for what it is: a way to quietly remove him from a very important job without making headlines for the wrong reason.

Vice President Vance also said that the move was not connected to the Signal scandal. But given the timing and media attention, that’s hard to believe.

How Long Was Waltz National Security Adviser?

Just 101 days.

That makes his tenure the second shortest in U.S. history for a national security adviser. The only one shorter? Michael Flynn, who lasted only three weeks back in Trump’s first term.