President Donald Trump's former national security advisor posted on X Thursday about his surprise new position.
"I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation," Waltz wrote.
Following days of rumors, Waltz and his aide were relieved of their posts. Some speculated it was because he took responsibility for the Signal app debacle, in which he inadvertently added a reporter to a high-level chat about an impending air strike. Others questioned why Waltz, not Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was being punished for sharing classified information on his phone using an unsecured mobile app.
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Former CIA Director John Brennan told MSNBC that Waltz was looking for a "fall guy" to pay for the Signal debacle.
"It's easy to replace a security advisor because it's not Senate-confirmed," Brennan said. "It's easy to oust them and then put someone in, including a deputy, right away."
But just hours after news outlets reported Waltz's ouster, President Donald Trump announced he was handing Waltz a different position in his administration.
"I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations," Trump posted to Truth Social. "From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role."
Trump added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would act as interim national security advisor, while continuing his duties at the State Department.
Politico reported that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was one of the people being considered to replace Waltz as national security advisor.
"Other possible contenders include Trump’s top policy chief Stephen Miller, National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka and Trump’s special envoy for special missions Richard Grenell," according to the report.