Trump Nominates Waltz as UN Ambassador; Rubio Steps In

President Donald Trump has nominated Mike Waltz, his current National Security Advisor, to serve as the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will assume the role of National Security Advisor while continuing his duties at the State Department.

The decision follows a recent incident where Waltz inadvertently included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in an encrypted Signal chat discussing sensitive military plans. Although President Trump initially defended Waltz, the misstep led to increased scrutiny and calls for his removal.

Waltz’s nomination as UN Ambassador requires Senate confirmation. His tenure as National Security Advisor, which began in January 2025, is noted for its assertive foreign policy stance and internal tensions within the administration.

Rubio’s appointment as interim National Security Advisor marks the first time since Henry Kissinger that one individual holds both positions simultaneously. The White House has not yet announced a permanent replacement for the National Security Advisor role.