National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong are set to be removed from their positions at the National Security Council. Reports indicate that this change will occur on Thursday, signaling a significant shift within the Trump administration.
The decision comes after Waltz faced criticism for a security breach involving an encrypted group chat on the messaging app Signal. This chat mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg from the Atlantic, leading to leaks about sensitive discussions regarding military actions in Yemen.
Sources close to the situation suggest that President Trump believes enough time has passed since the incident to justify the departures as part of a broader reorganization. Initially, Trump resisted calls to remove Waltz to avoid giving in to external pressures.
Wong has a notable background, having served as the deputy special representative for North Korea during Trump’s first term. He played a key role in facilitating the historic summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
While the timing of the ouster could happen soon, reports indicate it is not yet finalized. Conversations about potential replacements have been ongoing in the West Wing, with Steve Witkoff, currently Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, emerging as a leading candidate.
Waltz has been associated with a more aggressive stance towards Iran, especially as the U.S. resumes negotiations with the country regarding its nuclear program. In contrast, Witkoff, along with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, advocates for exploring diplomatic solutions with Iran.
This reshuffle reflects ongoing debates within the administration about the best approach to national security and foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East. As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact U.S. strategies moving forward.