Reports: National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Out at the White House – In a surprise move that sent shock waves around Washington, DC, reports of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz being fired spread quickly on social media on May 1.
This dismissal (or resignation) led some to believe that the Trump foreign policy team has been hampered by chaos, instability, missteps, and lack of efficacy in its efforts to create a Trump foreign policy doctrine in his second term.
Mike Waltz Out: Why Did This Happen?
Waltz had trouble taming the foreign policy blob in Washington and leading a defense strategy that could make Trump’s America First and Peace Through Strength philosophies into executable policies without distractions and criticism.
There are no names being mentioned to replace Waltz, who is a former Army Special Forces officer and congressman. Waltz had every intention of creating an environment where Trump 2.0 foreign policy would be the envy of the world.
Waltz Was Seen As Responsible for ‘Signalgate’
But being the target of blame for alleged missteps plagued him. He inadvertently added a journalist to a group chat on the encrypted app Signal, which embarrassed the White House and dominated news cycles that amplified the scandal.
His hiring practices were questionable, and many in the MAGA world wondered if his staff was sufficiently America First.
Waltz Is the Fall Guy
Waltz just never recovered from the criticism, even though it was Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth who was pilloried even more for his own missteps.
This leads one to wonder just what Trump is trying to accomplish in his struggling effort to promote a grand strategy that emphasizes a trade war but only heightens his general lack of sympathy and empathy for foreign lands.
Deputy National Security Advisor Will Exit Too
Deputy Alex Wong will also be removed as Waltz’s deputy. Wong, an experienced national security professional, never fully recovered from Signalgate. He was ineffective due to the political weakness of his boss, and Trump was not impressed.
Laura Loomer Strikes Again?
MAGA acolytes like Laura Loomer, who is not even officially part of the administration, rejoiced on X Thursday. “National Security Advisor Mike Waltz along with his Chinese deputy NSC Advisor Alex Wong have ‘resigned’ from the Trump admin today. Hopefully, the rest of the people who were set to be fired but were given promotions at the NSC under Waltz also depart,” Loomer posted.
What Loomer knows about defense strategy and foreign policy is negligible. She has no prior experience in the field, but she is considered an ‘expert’ on employees who do not have Trump’s interests at heart. Loomer has convinced Trump to fire some of his national security team before.
Waltz did not even know the long knives were out for him. At the beginning of the day, he was on Fox News touting the success of Trump for negotiating a mineral rights deal with Ukraine. It is not clear how Waltz came to know that his tenure was ending.
Chief of Staff Susie Wiles may have delivered the bad news, but it is unclear yet. The National Security Advisor also praised Trump at a cabinet meeting this week and he seemed to be in good graces with the president.
Political commentator Mark Halperin and CBS originally reported the news and other outlets on X picked it up and ran with it.
This is a developing story, and we will update you with more information as it comes in.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Dr. Brent Eastwood, a national security columnist for this publication, has over 2,000 published articles on defense and foreign policy issues.
