Mike Waltz Faces Senate as Trump’s Pick for UN Amid Signal-Gate Fallout
Today marks a significant moment in Washington as Mike Waltz, former national security adviser and longtime Trump ally, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing to become the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The hearing isn’t just another routine nomination—it comes with a heavy backdrop of controversy, as Waltz was at the center of what’s now infamously known as “Signal-gate.”
Back in March, Waltz accidentally added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private Signal group chat that included top Trump administration officials like Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The chat was intended to discuss a potential military strike on Houthi targets in Yemen. Goldberg, who is also the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic , revealed that the group discussed sensitive military strategy in the chat—some of which he claims involved sequencing and timing of a potential strike. Waltz has since taken full responsibility, stating, "I built the group," and admitted the error in judgment, though he insists no actual war plans were shared.
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This unintentional breach of military secrecy led to Waltz’s resignation from his national security post in May, and has drawn fire from Senate Democrats during today’s hearing. Senator Tammy Duckworth has already described the confirmation process as likely to be “brutal,” and based on early exchanges, that prediction is holding true.
Despite the scrutiny, Waltz came into the hearing with strong support from Senate Republicans. Senator Mike Lee introduced him with high praise, describing Waltz as a "skilled negotiator" with the caution and patriotism needed to protect American interests on the world stage. President Trump has also stood by him, telling NBC News that Waltz “has learned a lesson and is a good man.” Trump nominated Waltz to the U.N. post shortly after appointing Senator Marco Rubio to serve as interim national security adviser.
Waltz's background certainly bolsters his case. Before stepping into Trump’s inner circle, he served three terms in Congress representing Florida’s 6th District. He’s also a former Green Beret, the first to be elected to Congress, and has extensive experience in military and intelligence operations. His resume includes time in the Bush administration working on national security policy at both the Pentagon and the White House. After 27 years in uniform, he retired as a colonel in the Army National Guard.
Still, questions linger. The Pentagon's acting Inspector General has opened an investigation into whether Defense Secretary Hegseth improperly used Signal to share classified operational timing with unauthorized individuals, including family members. Waltz, while denying any classified data was revealed, remains entangled in that broader probe.
As the hearing unfolds, the question isn’t just whether Mike Waltz is qualified for the job—most would agree his experience is impressive—but whether his recent judgment missteps will overshadow that record. The Senate will ultimately decide if he is the right person to represent the U.S. at the United Nations during one of the most turbulent periods in modern diplomacy.
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