Trump ousts Waltz, taps in Rubio as new interim National Security Adviser

Trump nominates Waltz to serve as US Ambassador to UN after he faced scrutiny for adding editor to Signal group chat

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President Donald Trump on Thursday removed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz following a month of controversy and personnel shakeups inside the White House, appointing Secretary of State Marco Rubio as interim replacement while nominating Waltz to serve as US Ambassador to the United Nations.

The shakeup, first reported by The Post, marks the most significant change in Trump’s national security team since the start of his second term in January.

Waltz, 51, faced intense scrutiny after mistakenly adding The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal group chat about classified Yemen airstrikes.

Despite Trump initially standing by him, multiple officials, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and White House personnel director Sergio Gor, reportedly advocated for his removal.

"Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s interests first," Trump posted on Truth Social. "I know he will do the same at the UN."

Rubio, 53, will temporarily hold both the secretary of state and national security adviser roles, becoming the first since Henry Kissinger to do so.

Trump praised Rubio at a Thursday White House event, saying, “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.”

Waltz’s departure follows a broader purge at the National Security Council, where more than 20 staffers have been dismissed since April. Sources say Waltz’s hawkish stance and poor interagency coordination also contributed to his ouster.

The UN ambassador post had previously been earmarked for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), but Trump withdrew her nomination to protect the GOP’s slim House majority.

Waltz’s nomination is expected to move forward in the Senate despite the Signal controversy, as officials predict little resistance to the appointment.