Exposing Trump's Move on Mike Waltz Dismissal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced the dismissal of Mike Waltz from his role as the National Security Adviser (NSA), a key position responsible for shaping U.S. foreign and security policies. Trump appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the acting NSA, signaling a significant overhaul in his national security team, Al Jazeera reported.

Trump shared on his Truth Social platform that he plans to nominate Waltz as the next US ambassador to the UN. He praised Waltz's dedication, stating, “Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role."

In response, Waltz expressed his gratitude to Trump, writing, “I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation.”

Background of Dismissal

Waltz's dismissal, just two days after the highly publicized Day 100 event, marked the first major personnel shakeup in Trump's current term. This highlights how Trump remains influenced by public perception and optics, even as he feels more empowered than ever in office.

According to senior advisors, Trump's frustration began with the so-called "Signalgate," where Waltz became the first symbol of Trump losing control of the narrative and failing to become a winner.

The former army officer faced criticism after forming a chat group on the Signal messaging app involving high-ranking officials such as Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The main mistake was Waltz's decision to add Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a private Signal message thread where sensitive discussions of potential military actions in Yemen were being held. Goldberg later leaked parts of the conversation.

This mistake greatly embarrassed Trump and worsened his view of Waltz. White House insiders who knew Trump's thinking told Axios, "He just came to look at Waltz like he was bad luck, bad news. There was nothing Mike could do at that point."

The scandal raised doubts about the professionalism and prudence of Trump's national security team, prompting calls from some Democratic Party members for Waltz and Hegseth to resign. Furthermore, Waltz was reported to have used unofficial and insecure communication methods during a recent cabinet meeting, raising further concerns.

Communication with Netanyahu Behind Trump's Back

According to The Washington Post, cited by Jerusalem Post, Waltz also irked Trump by being involved in intense coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the possibility of a military strike against Iran.

This approach contradicted ongoing diplomatic efforts mediated by Oman to engage Tehran. Waltz's increasingly hawkish stance reportedly frustrated the president. Netanyahu's office denied extensive communication with Waltz.

The report, citing several senior government officials, stated that Waltz had closely collaborated with Netanyahu to develop military options ahead of a meeting in the Oval Office in February, doing so without informing Trump. An official described Waltz's efforts as pushing U.S. policy in a direction that made Trump uncomfortable. A source said Trump was not happy about that.

Trump, who generally prefers diplomacy over direct military confrontation with Iran, interpreted Waltz's maneuver as an attempt to impose his will. Some in the White House felt that Waltz was more aligned with Netanyahu's hawkish stance than Trump's approach.

A Trump advisor said he works for his country's president, not the president of another country, equating Waltz's unauthorized diplomacy with actions that would result in dismissal under previous administrations.

Waltz, known for his hawkish views on Iran and Russia, has often been seen as ideologically misaligned with Trump's transactional and negotiation-focused foreign policy approach.

Perceived Disloyalty

Tensions within the White House also arose, with Chief of Staff Sus Wiles reportedly questioning Waltz's suitability for the administration. Alongside Waltz, Trump fired his deputy, Alex Wong. This marks a significant dismissal of senior White House officials during his second term. Several inspectors general, federal personnel, and top officials, including Chief of Operations Admiral Anchetti and General James Slife, have also been ousted.

In the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, Waltz faced criticism for being deemed disloyal and not in line with Trump. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon condemned Waltz's aggressive foreign policy views, particularly his support for military intervention.

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer highlighted a 2016 video in which Waltz criticized Trump's statements about military personnel, accusing him of disloyalty. She also alleged that Waltz hired staff with anti-Trump sentiments and targeted his deputy, Wong, for allegedly having ties to Chinese interests.

Waltz's Position after Dismissal

On the other hand, JD Vance defended Waltz, stating that the reassignment was a strategic move, not a demotion, allowing Waltz to continue serving in a diplomatic role within the administration.

Waltz now faces Senate confirmation challenges to become the U.S. ambassador to the UN, a process likely to face rejection. As a former Army Green Beret with combat experience in Afghanistan, Waltz received the Bronze Star for his bravery. He has written extensively on military strategy and national defense and served as a counterterrorism advisor at the Pentagon during the George W. Bush presidency before his term in the House of Representatives.

However, the impact of the Signalgate scandal, allegations of unauthorized communication with Israeli officials, and opposition from Democratic senators could complicate his confirmation.

Meanwhile, Marco Rubio will temporarily assume the NSA role, with no clear timeline for a permanent replacement. Rubio, one of the more hawkish figures in the administration, is expected to consolidate foreign policy leadership and streamline decision-making. This marks the first time in the 2020s that the Secretary of State has doubled as the NSA Head.

Trump has yet to announce who will permanently replace Waltz. Potential candidates within his inner circle include Stephen Miller, Steve Witkoff, and Ric Grenell. Miller is known for his hardline views on immigration and foreign policy. Witkoff was involved in negotiations with Russia, Iran, and Hamas, and Grenell, the former ambassador to Germany, currently serves as the acting Director of National Intelligence.

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