Trump asks Rep. Mike Waltz to be his national security adviser
WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has asked U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security advisor, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press Monday.
The decision to move forward came despite growing concerns in Congress about Trump selecting members from the House, where the final count remains unclear. Lawmakers are wary of losing any GOP representatives, as it would trigger a special election to fill their vacated seats. The source, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter ahead of Trump’s official announcement.
This appointment would place Waltz in the midst of numerous national security challenges, including the ongoing effort to support Ukraine with military aid, rising tensions over the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, the continuing attacks by Iranian-backed forces in the Middle East, and the push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah.
Who is Michael Waltz?
Waltz, a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida, was the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, and easily won reelection last week. He has been chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Mike Waltz speaks on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Waltz is an ardent Trump advocate who backed efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its ongoing mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population.
He has been a sharp critic of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and has called on the U.S. to hold accountable those who bear responsibility for the deaths of the 13 U.S. service members at Abbey Gate and for "thousands of Americans and allies behind enemy lines."
Elise Stefanik nomination as ambassador to the United Nations
Waltz is the second House lawmaker tapped for an administration role after House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., accepted Trump's nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations earlier on Monday.
Both Stefanik and Waltz are members of the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
"I am truly honored to earn President Trump's nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate," Stefanik said in her statement accepting the nomination.
"The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries. I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations."
Like Waltz, Stefanik's upstate New York district is a safe Republican stronghold.
Trump names Susie Wiles chief of staff
Last week Trump picked Susie Wiles as his chief of staff. Wiles becomes the first woman to ever hold the influential role.
Wiles is widely credited within and outside Trump’s inner circle for running what was, by far, his most disciplined and well-executed campaign, and was seen as the leading contender for the position. She largely avoided the spotlight, even refusing to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early Wednesday morning.
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"Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again," Trump said in a statement. "It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud."