Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and his deputy, Alex Wong, are stepping down after losing support within the administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. Their departure follows a troubled period, notably marked by Waltz mistakenly including a journalist in a Signal group chat that contained sensitive information on US military operations in Yemen.
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Although the incident nearly led to Waltz’s dismissal, President Trump opted not to act immediately, reportedly to avoid appearing to cave under media scrutiny. In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would assume the role of national security adviser in addition to his current post, while Waltz would be nominated as the next US ambassador to the United Nations. Trump praised Waltz’s service and loyalty, citing his past roles in the military and Congress.
Internal conflicts had long troubled both Waltz and Wong’s standing, particularly strained relations with Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and other senior officials. Wong was also criticised by national security personnel from other departments and reportedly complained about Waltz’s reluctance to intervene. Efforts to stabilise their positions, including Waltz seeking counsel from Vice-President JD Vance’s circle, were unsuccessful. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing in the Signal incident—dubbed “Signalgate”—Waltz remained under pressure, with critics accusing him of clashing with Trump’s ‘America First’ doctrine.
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The situation escalated further after right-wing commentator Laura Loomer pushed unsubstantiated claims regarding Wong’s alleged ties to China. Her influence, combined with pressure from Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson, significantly eroded Waltz’s authority. In the end, it was quietly communicated that Waltz and Wong’s tenure on the national security council would not continue. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer responded by calling for the dismissal of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, claiming systemic failures and warning that incidents similar to Signalgate could become a pattern under the current leadership.
