Mike Waltz, the nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Donald Trump, is undergoing questioning from lawmakers for the first time since his departure as national security adviser. This pivotal moment follows an incident where Waltz mistakenly included a journalist in a private Signal chat meant for discussing sensitive military plans. The former Republican congressman from Florida appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing, as Trump seeks to finalize his Cabinet positions after months of delays, including the withdrawal of the previous nominee.
This Senate hearing marks the first opportunity for lawmakers to scrutinize Waltz regarding the March revelations that he added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a private text chain. This chat was utilized for planning military strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen. While Waltz accepted responsibility for this error, criticism also fell on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had shared sensitive information within the chat, which included other high-ranking national security officials. Despite this scrutiny, Trump has expressed unwavering support for Hegseth.
Waltz's removal as national security adviser occurred in May when he was succeeded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following this transition, he was nominated for the U.N. role, with Trump praising Waltz for his commitment to prioritizing national interests. Trump stated, “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.”
If confirmed, Waltz would step into his role at the U.N. during a time of significant change. The organization is grappling with the aftermath of Trump’s decision to cut foreign aid, which has severely impacted its humanitarian assistance efforts. Furthermore, the U.N. anticipates potential funding cuts to its annual budget from the United States, which is the largest donor to the U.N. budget.
The White House has articulated that under its “America First” foreign policy, some U.N. agencies have strayed from their original missions and are acting against U.S. interests, promoting anti-Semitism, and undermining American allies. As the U.N. faces financial instability, it has been forced to lay off staff and consolidate projects while attempting to implement much-needed reforms.
Critics have increasingly voiced their frustrations over what they see as the U.N.'s inefficiency and lack of power in fulfilling its mission to resolve conflicts and prevent wars. John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and national security adviser during Trump's initial term, recently expressed his discontent, stating, “It’s probably in the worst shape it’s been in since it was founded.”
In preparation for his confirmation hearing, Waltz has spent several weeks meeting with both Democratic and Republican senators on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth reported that they discussed a plethora of issues, including the Trump administration's strategies to bolster alliances and counter Chinese influence within the U.N. Duckworth specifically addressed the “Signalgate” incident, alongside the need for the U.S. to strengthen its position among other nations in light of the growing influence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Despite potential Democratic opposition, Waltz is likely to secure confirmation, needing only a simple majority in the currently Republican-controlled Senate. Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed confidence in Waltz's prospects, stating, “He’ll be fine. Mike won’t have any issues. I mean, the Democrats are gonna do their thing. Whatever. Mike’s used to taking incoming fire.”
The approach Waltz would take as U.N. ambassador remains uncertain. Trump's initial nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik, had a history of criticizing the U.N. and promised to combat perceived antisemitism within the organization. However, her nomination was abruptly withdrawn by Trump in March, which was seen as a move to protect the GOP's slim House majority.
Even after his removal as national security adviser, Waltz has remained on the White House payroll, earning an annual salary of $195,200. This arrangement, according to a White House official, was intended to facilitate a “smooth and successful transition” given the critical nature of the national security adviser role. Waltz, notable for being the first Green Beret elected to the House, had recently won re-election before Trump invited him to join the administration.
As Waltz navigates this confirmation process, the implications of his potential role at the U.N. will be closely watched, especially amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness and future of the United Nations in the current global landscape.
