President Trump announced a major staff shakeup, nominating National Security Advisor Mike Waltz as the new UN ambassador. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily fill Waltz's position. This follows reports of Trump's intention to remove Waltz.
Waltz's removal stems from a series of events, including an incident where he inadvertently added a journalist to a sensitive messaging group chat, and perceived loss of influence within the West Wing. His departure has caused apprehension among foreign officials. The Senate confirmation process for Waltz's new role is expected to be contentious.
Democrats criticized the decision, suggesting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be held more accountable for sharing sensitive information. However, Trump defended Hegseth, citing the political cost of his removal. The article also highlights internal dissatisfaction with Waltz, including from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Additional factors include the perceived lower priority of the UN ambassador role by Trump, the delays in nominating his previous choice, and the closer-than-expected Florida congressional race to replace Waltz.