Who is Michael Waltz? Trump fires national security adviser After Major Security Leak

President Donald Trump has decided to replace his National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, following a major security scandal.

The Daily Mail confirmed the news, stating Waltz’s removal comes weeks after he accidentally added a journalist to a top-secret Signal group chat about U.S. military plans in Yemen.

What Happened?

• In early May, Waltz mistakenly added Jeffrey Goldberg, an editor at The Atlantic, to a private Signal chat with 17 high-ranking officials. The group discussed plans for U.S. bomb strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

• Goldberg later published the leaked messages in The Atlantic, causing a political firestorm. Critics called it the “Signalgate” scandal, questioning the Trump administration’s competence.

• Waltz claimed he “never spoke to Goldberg before” and did not know how the journalist’s number was saved in his phone.

Fallout and Public Humiliation

The leak led to weeks of negative media coverage. Waltz faced harsh criticism for the security breach, even from Trump allies. During a Fox & Friends interview on Thursday, Waltz tried to defend himself but struggled to explain the mistake.

• “If you have somebody else’s contact… it gets sucked in,” he told host Laura Ingraham.

• Trump initially refused to fire Waltz, not wanting to “give Goldberg the satisfaction.” However, pressure grew as the scandal damaged the White House’s reputation.

Trump’s Reaction

Trump gave Waltz a lukewarm endorsement in a recent interview with The Atlantic:

• “Waltz is fine. He’s here. He just left this office… He was beat up also,” Trump said.

• Behind the scenes, sources say Trump was unhappy with the “embarrassing” scandal and wanted a fresh start.

Who Will Replace Michael Waltz?

Reports suggest Trump’s close friend Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor and trusted envoy, is the top choice for the job. Witkoff has no formal national security experience but is seen as loyal to Trump.

• Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also under scrutiny. Journalist Mark Halperin reported there is “unhappiness” with both Waltz and Wong in the national security community.

Waltz’s Final Days

Before his firing, Waltz attended a Cabinet meeting with Trump on Wednesday. He also praised a rare minerals deal with Ukraine during his Fox interview, calling it “good for the American taxpayer.”

Why This Matters

The scandal has raised concerns about security protocols in the Trump administration. Critics argue the incident shows a lack of discipline and professionalism. Supporters claim Waltz was unfairly targeted for a simple mistake.

What’s Next?

The White House has not officially commented on Waltz’s removal. Trump is expected to announce the replacement soon. Meanwhile, Waltz will lose access to classified information and must hand over duties immediately.