President Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, is navigating murky waters following the “Signalgate” incident. Recent firings of key National Security Council members have further highlighted his precarious position.
Waltz has been in the spotlight ever since he mistakenly invited a journalist to a Signal chat intended for discussing a U.S. military strike in Yemen. Despite pressure, Trump has not dismissed him over the mishap. However, the removal of key staff members, which he failed to prevent, indicates a drop in his influence.
Insiders in Washington suggest that right-wing activists are targeting Waltz due to his neoconservative views, which don’t align neatly with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” foreign policy objectives. Particularly troubling to Trump’s base is Waltz’s support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia, a stance seen as hindering Trump’s efforts to improve relations with Moscow.
A former official from Trump’s first administration explained, “These folks don’t hold back. Once they set their sights on someone, they push relentlessly.” He went on to say, “Expect a coordinated attack through social media and far-right outlets to undermine Waltz, with Russian entities likely amplifying the effort.”
The recent dismissals came after far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer met with Trump, armed with reports accusing staffers of disloyalty. Waltz was present during this meeting. Loomer later boasted on social media about presenting her findings to the president but remained tight-lipped about the specifics.
Among the casualties of these firings was Thomas Boodry, a senior director of legislative affairs who previously worked under Waltz during his congressional tenure. These decisions are yet another blow for Waltz, who is still reeling from the fallout of Signalgate.
Adding to the controversy, a Washington Post report alleged that Waltz and other NSC members used private Gmail accounts for official communications. NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes defended Waltz, stating that he never sent classified information through unsecured channels, though he did confirm that Waltz received emails on his personal account from longtime contacts.
The Wall Street Journal also pointed out that Waltz orchestrated several Signal chats on pressing national security issues, involving military operations and potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Hughes emphasized that Signal is a government-approved encrypted app, denying claims of classified discussions occurring through it.
Former government insiders speculate that Trump is hesitant to dismiss Waltz, wanting to avoid the perception of capitulating to pressures from Democrats and mainstream media. They recall Trump’s regret over firing national security adviser Mike Flynn, who had previously lied about his Russian contacts.
Nevertheless, Waltz might be on thin ice. A former White House official from Biden’s administration noted, “He’s treading on borrowed time. The blunders made the administration look incompetent, something Trump would loathe.”
Other commentators, like Aaron David Miller from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggest Waltz’s days might be numbered due to his diminishing political capital.
Sources say Trump was less incensed by the Signal chatter than by Waltz’s personal contact list, which included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Waltz’s awkward explanations for having Goldberg’s number didn’t help his cause, suggesting it appeared there via a third-party contact.
This turmoil is a stark shift from the admiration Waltz received when Trump appointed him national security adviser in November. Known for his military service and strategic expertise, Waltz was the first Green Beret elected to Congress and earned multiple Bronze Stars from his time in combat zones.
Peter Bergen, a security analyst at the New America Foundation, praised Waltz, calling him a multifaceted individual with experience from the battlefield to the boardroom. Bergen remarked on Waltz’s steadfast support for Trump, especially noticeable during the last presidential campaign.
However, his foreign policy stances, such as criticizing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and maintaining hawkish views on Russia and China, don’t sit well with the more isolationist faction of Trump’s supporters, who appreciate leaders like Vladimir Putin.
In a 2023 op-ed, Waltz compared Putin’s role in the Ukraine war to al-Qaeda’s responsibility for 9/11, a viewpoint at odds with some of Trump’s public statements.
Compared to Trump’s other national security choices, “Waltz is more of a throwback,” noted Miller. “Questions about his future linger prominently.”
One Washington diplomat agreed, saying, “The knives are definitely out for him.”
