President Donald Trump has announced a major shake-up in his national security leadership, nominating Mike Waltz to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and appointing Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting National Security Adviser.
The move follows a communications lapse involving Waltz, who mistakenly included a journalist in a secure Signal chat discussing military operations in Yemen. The error raised concerns over protocol and triggered what has been informally dubbed “Signalgate” within administration circles.
Despite the controversy, Trump commended Waltz’s service, pointing to his record in the military, Congress, and his recent advisory role. The U.N. ambassador nomination will now head to the Senate for confirmation.
In the interim, Rubio will assume both the Secretary of State and National Security Adviser roles, a dual responsibility not seen since the era of Henry Kissinger. The White House has yet to name a permanent replacement, but several former officials, including Michael Anton and Richard Grenell, are reportedly being considered.
The decision reflects Trump’s desire to maintain continuity in foreign policy while reinforcing internal discipline, signaling confidence in Rubio’s ability to manage both portfolios during a period of international and strategic complexity.