Inside Mike Waltz’s White House Exit - The Atlantic

Key Points of Michael Waltz's White House Exit

Michael Waltz, National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump's second term, was unexpectedly dismissed. This followed a series of incidents, including an accidental inclusion of The Atlantic's editor in a sensitive Signal group chat and disagreements with other senior officials.

• The Signal incident, termed 'Signalgate', significantly weakened Waltz's position.
• Waltz's perceived lack of loyalty and inability to manage his staff contributed to his dismissal.
• His dismissal came after the 100-day mark of Trump's second term, echoing similar personnel changes in Trump's first term.

The article highlights Waltz's past opposition to Trump and his eventual alignment with the 'America First' ideology, yet he never gained full trust within Trump's inner circle.

Conflicts and Controversies

Waltz clashed with Trump's Chief of Staff and faced internal challenges managing his own team, including accusations of disloyalty from far-right activist Laura Loomer, whose intervention led to further NSC staff dismissals.

• Waltz's dismissals of career officials hindered core functions of the NSC.
• His views on Russia differed from some in Trump's inner circle.

Waltz's dismissal caused anxiety among US allies who viewed him as a stabilizing force due to his pro-NATO stance and support for Ukraine.

Aftermath and Analysis

Despite his dismissal, Waltz was nominated as the US Ambassador to the United Nations. The article suggests that Waltz was primarily hired for his public image and failed to fully integrate into Trump's inner circle. The series of events surrounding Waltz's departure highlighted instability and internal conflict within the Trump administration.