Trump nominates Mike Waltz as UN ambassador despite scandal
Donald Trump surprised many by nominating Mike Waltz as UN ambassador, despite the recent Signalgate scandal, Middle East Eye reported on May 1st.
In March, Waltz reportedly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a secure Signal group chat about strikes on Houthis in Yemen. Goldberg published the screenshots. Waltz denied knowing him and called him “the bottom scum of journalists,” but never removed him. The chat showed Waltz describing targets and sending celebratory emojis.
In 2017, Donald Trump’s national security advisor became the first of his inner circle to go. Waltz poised to become the first casualty of Trump’s second term after the group chat scandal, but instead, he has seemingly received a promotion.
“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. I know he will do the same in his new role,” Trump posted on TruthSocial.
The UN ambassadorship still requires Senate confirmation. Trump previously nominated Elise Stefanik but withdrew her to preserve the Republican House majority. At her hearing, Stefanik said she would “stand up for Israel at the UN.” Waltz appears aligned. In 2023, he insisted Israel should remain free to strike Iran and signed a letter threatening Qatar over Hamas hostages.
Although, the BBC on May 1st has reported that several anonymous staffers from various departments within the government believe the Trump administration expects the Senate to reject Waltz’s nomination, giving the president a tactical manoeuvre to remove him without directly firing him.
Trump also named Secretary of State Marco Rubio as interim national security advisor. “Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN,” he wrote. Rubio now holds three roles: secretary of state, national security advisor, and USAID administrator.
Critics also faulted Waltz for using Signal for sensitive discussions. Still, Trump advanced Waltz, maintaining loyalty.
Middle East Eye, BBC
