Trump’s pick for UN ambassador is in serious trouble after a national security scandal exploded around a Signal group chat. Mike Waltz now faces a brutal confirmation battle with both parties questioning whether he’s fit to represent America on the global stage.
Signal Leak Threatens Waltz’s Future
Former national security adviser Mike Waltz is under intense scrutiny after admitting to sharing sensitive military information in a Signal group chat—allegedly with a journalist present. The leak has triggered outrage from lawmakers and raised serious questions about Waltz’s judgment just as he’s nominated for UN ambassador.
While the Trump administration insists no classified info was compromised, Waltz has publicly taken “full responsibility” for the misstep. But with his confirmation pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that admission could be politically fatal. Lawmakers on both sides say trust and discretion are mandatory for the position—and right now, Waltz is on shaky ground.
Senators Slam Waltz as “Not Qualified”
Leading Democrats aren’t pulling punches. Senator Tammy Duckworth called the nomination “a brutal mistake,” saying Waltz failed the basic test of safeguarding America’s secrets. She’s demanding a full investigation into the Signal chat, and other members of the Senate Armed Services Committee are backing a bipartisan probe.
Republicans are also beginning to break ranks. Senate Intel leaders like Mark Warner have expressed doubts, and some GOP senators privately admit the nomination could be unsalvageable if further details emerge. With the 2024 election still fresh, many in the Senate are wary of risking another foreign policy scandal tied to mishandled classified information.
Trump Backs Waltz, Despite the Fallout
President Trump has stood by Waltz, calling him a “fine guy” and praising his military credentials and global experience. The administration insists Waltz wasn’t “demoted” but rather reassigned to a position where his talents can still serve the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is now temporarily doubling as national security adviser—a move Trump loyalists say echoes Henry Kissinger’s dual-role era. But critics see the maneuver as damage control after the Signal leak rocked the administration’s national security team.
Mike Waltz’s confirmation is hanging by a thread, and the coming hearings may determine whether Trump’s pick survives—or sinks under the weight of a national security scandal.
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Ex-Trump adviser Mike Waltz will have ‘brutal’ hearing for UN ambassador, Dems say
Sen. Tammy Duckworth says Mike Waltz will have a “brutal hearing” for U.N. ambassador – CBS News
Duckworth says Mike Waltz will have a “brutal hearing” for U.N. ambassador – DNyuz